A 26-YEAR-OLD man was taken unconscious to the North Devon District Hospital following a serious assault in Bideford in the early hours of Saturday morning

He was subsequently transferred to Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, with what are described as serious head injuries.

He is in a critical but stable condition.

Police were called to the scene of the assault in Pitt Lane at around 1.45am on Saturday.

They are appealing for information from anyone who was in the area at the time.

Two 16-year-old local youths were arrested in connection with this offence and later released on police bail until April 26.