A man has been released on police bail after an assault yesterday.

A 21-year-old man from Brentwood was punched in the face and fell to the floor outside Eclipse nightclub, next to Sainsbury’s car park, in William Hunter Way at 3.30am.

He was taken to Queen’s Hospital, in Romford, where Essex Police said he is in a critical, life-threatening condition and is now fighting for his life.

A man, 26, from the Brentwood area, was arrested for assault at the scene yesterday and was questioned by detecitves at Grays police station.

He has been released on bail to return on October 25 pending further enquiries.

Police are looking to speak to revellers who were inside the nightclub and saw a fight between two men and anyone waiting outside at the nearby taxi rank who witnessed the assault near the car park.

Any witnesses are asked to contact detectives at Brentwood police station on 101.