A man left for dead in a brutal assault is stranded in hospital while authorities argue about who is responsible for his aftercare.

Timothy John, 42, from Hailsham, was left unconscious with swelling to the brain after being attacked outside the White Hart pub in Horsebridge after the England v Germany football match at the beginning of September.

The father-of-two is now conscious and able to move from his bed at Eastbourne District General Hospital (DGH), although he has trouble moving his left arm and his speech and memory are impaired.

His parents, Karl and Monique, of Vicarage Road, Hailsham, have been told they can bring him home.

But the move is being stalled by a dispute about their son's aftercare.

Mr John said: "The hospital has told us Tim needs speech therapy and occupational therapy but he can't get it because there is no community occupational therapist and no outpatient occupational therapy set up through the hospital."

Mr John said his son had been accepted at the Hurstwood- based charity Headway, a unit which helps patients with head injuries.

However, he was concerned about who would pay for the treatment and transport.

He said: "The social services say the health care people are responsible while the health care people say it is down to the social services."

A spokeswoman for the DGH said Mr John would not be discharged until his after care had been arranged.

She said: "The funding has to be agreed. He will be assessed and the case will go back to the authority.

"We are trying hard to make sure appropriate plans are in place. Some of the care we are not able to provide, but we are trying to do our best for him."

A police investigation into the attack is continuing and Tim has been able to give police further clues to his attacker's identity.

His parents are offering a £1,000 reward for information leading to the conviction of the attackers.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Eastbourne CID on 0845 6070999.