Relatives and friends are keeping a bedside vigil for a Mid Sussex barman as he fights for his life.

Colin Stewart, 32, of Hanybury Road, Haywards Heath, collapsed on Saturday with a massive blood clot on his brain after being punched in the head in a fight at a petrol station.

After finishing work, he dropped in to the Esso garage in Franklyn Road, Haywards Heath, with his brother Davey to buy some food at about 12.15am.

While in the shop an argument started between Colin and another man, which ended in a fight on the station forecourt.

The quarrel broke up and the two brothers drove home believing Colin was uninjured.

But an hour later Colin was found, collapsed on his doorstep, by his neighbour Pete Baldwin, 41.

He said: "Colin must have stumbled across when he realised something was wrong. He had rung my bell and slumped back in his doorway."

By this stage Colin had fallen forward unconscious and Mr Baldwin dialled 999.

He said: "He was starting to shake and go rigid and was finding it hard to breathe. I put him in the recovery position and held his head until the ambulance arrived."

Colin, who works behind the bar at United Services in Haywards Heath, was taken to the Princess Royal Hospital where doctors discovered a blood clot on his brain.

He is on a life support machine and remained critically ill on a life support machine this morning.

His mother, Pauline Gatcum, 57, said: "We're all stunned. It's hard to understand. He only went in for some food and ended up in hospital. It's a nightmare we can't wake up from.

"There's no question Pete saved his life. If it wasn't for Pete, no one would have found my son until the morning. I can't bare to think about it."

Two men were arrested on Sunday in connection with the incident and have been released on bail while police continue their investigations.

Detective Constable Clinton Novelle, of Haywards Heath police, said: "It was busy in the garage and we know from CCTV there were at least ten people there at the time.

"They probably don't realise how serious this is, as the men dusted themselves off and left. But it's now a very serious matter with a man critically ill.

"We need anyone who was in the shop to come and talk to us."

Anyone with information should call Mr Novelle on 0845 6070999.