AN ASIAN man is fighting for his life in hospital today after a ferocious, unprovoked race attack in broad daylight (Simon Alford writes).

The victim, who has not been named, was set upon by two skinheads, close to the footbridge in Victoria Road, South Ashford. He is being treated in the William Harvey Hospital for what police have described as life-threatening head injuries.

A second Asian man managed to escape from the scene without serious injury. Both men, aged in their 20s, are from the Ashford area.

It is understood the two white men were walking from the town centre at 3.30pm yesterday when they confronted the two Asians, who were walking in the opposite direction.

Det Ch Insp Mick Judge said: "This was a ferocious and unprovoked assault. It is being treated as a racially-motivated attack."

Police closed the footbridge between Victoria Road and Elwick Road, which crosses the railway line, while scenes of crime officers searched the attack scene for evidence.

The attackers are described as white, aged in their teens or early 20s, muscular, with shaved heads. One was wearing a white hooded top, the other had a blue hooded top with a stripe on it.

Detectives want to speak to anybody who may have seen the assault or know the attackers. Call 01233 619188 with information.