THE owners of a York nightclub have told how staff went to the aid of a man after he was repeatedly punched by an attacker.

The 21-year-old victim, from the Pocklington area, has been left fighting for his life in hospital following the assault at The Gallery, in Clifford Street.

He is on a ventilator in the intensive care unit at Hull Royal Infirmary.

But the club's owners say he did not seem seriously injured when he left the club, having refused the offer of an ambulance.

Steve Dennis, director of Luton-based Luminar Leisure Ltd, the club's parent company, said the victim had received a bruised lump under his eye but had no other visible injuries and was coherent throughout.

He was taken to the club's medical room and offered the help of the venue's head steward and first aider, who is a qualified nurse.

The attack followed an argument involving another man.

He said staff had tracked down one of the men involved in the fracas, but could not find the other.

Mr Dennis said: "The police were present. The man expressed he was 'not bothered' for anyone to be charged, so the detained man was removed from the premises.

"When the injured man had been cleaned up, he left with a friend. He thanked everyone for their help. He was advised by the duty manager and head steward to go to A&E and have his eye looked at. We are most sorry to hear that the young man is now so unwell. We convey our heartfelt good wishes for a speedy recovery.

"The police have now visited the venue to conduct further inquiries. Management and staff are offering their full co-operation with the investigation."

The attack happened in the Moet Bar area of the club at about 12.45am on Saturday.

Detectives are appealing to clubbers who were at the venue to help them trace his attacker. He was described as white, 6ft 3ins to 6ft 6ins tall, of medium build and clean-shaven with short dark hair. He was wearing a black polo-neck jumper and black trousers.

Updated: 14:35 Wednesday, December 19, 2001