FORENSICS officers are searching a city centre for evidence following an attack on a 37-year-old man that has left him in hospital with a serious head injury.

Police are appealing for witnesses into the incident, which happened in Fount­ainbridge, Edinburgh, early yesterday.

The man and his girlfriend were walking into Lauriston Place when they were confronted by two men.

A fight broke out, which led to the woman being knocked to the ground. The man then chased the other two into nearby Earl Grey Street, where another altercation took place that ended when the 37-year-old suffered his head injury.

He was discovered lying in the middle of the street outside the Bank of Scot-land at Tollcross at about 3.15am.

The victim was taken by ambulance to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, where he was treated for his injuries before being transferred to the Western General Hospital.

He was reported to be in a stable condition.

The two attackers were described as white, in their early-20s, of average build with short, dark hair.

One was wearing a dark-coloured hooded top with writing on the right sleeve and an emblem on the left of the chest, dark trousers and white shoes.

The other was wearing a dark top with a red crewneck top underneath, dark trousers and white shoes.

They were last seen running towards Semple Street.

Officers are checking CCTV footage in the area as they try and find out where the pair went after the attack.

Detective Sergeant Raymond Gray said: "The victim has suffered a serious head injury and we are appealing for any infor­mation that can help us trace the two men.

"We know there were witnesses in the area at the time and we are appealing to those people to come forward and help us with our inquiries.

"Anyone else with any information that can help us should contact Police Scotland on 101, or make an anonymous report through Crimestoppers on 0800 555111."