The wife of a caretaker left fighting for his life by a vicious assault made an emotional plea for help to find his attackers.

Margaret Gray, 53, has kept a vigil by her husband Phillip's bedside in intensive care since he was battered about the head with his own broom.

Mrs Gray fought back tears as she told of her husband's ordeal.

She said: "My husband is very, very, ill. If anyone has any information about who did this to him, they must call the police urgently.

"Everyone in his street in Brighton all know him.

"I just can't tell you how many people think the world of him.

"He is not hated by anybody. He always speaks to people who go through the square.

"He says hello to everybody so somebody must have seen something."

Mr Gray, who lives with his wife and children in Brighton, has not regained consciousness since he was taken into the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton.

He has been kept heavily sedated because of the severe nature of his injuries which include a fractured skull.

Detective Chief Inspector Steve Dennis, leading the inquiry, said: "This is now a major crime inquiry.

"Mr Gray has served the local community well for more than 20 years in his role as caretaker and they are as horrified by what has happened as we are.

"This is a vicious attack. There would not have been many people around in Brighton Square at 7am but in his work as a caretaker Mr Gray was well known to homeless people who sleep in this area.

"That is why we are particularly seeking help from homeless people who may have vital information. I urge them to call us."

Mr Gray, 54, left for work each day at 5am or 6am. He would go to the Lanes in Brighton and Brighton Square at about 7am.

At 7.11am last Monday he was found in a pool of blood after being beaten shortly after starting his shift that morning.

He is believed to have been set upon in a service road behind the Square and managed to stagger to the front of the Druid's Head pub.

His van, parked nearby, was taken away by police for forensic examination.

Detectives announced they were looking at the possibility that Mr Gray was attacked with his own broom which they discovered stained with blood.

This has also been sent for forensic tests.

They are offering cash rewards for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of the offenders.

Officers are anxious to speak to a man seen in a white baseball cap in Brighton Square at 6.45am.

A man in a blue quilted jacket and a white baseball cap who fitted a similar description, was also seen on CCTV in Black Lion Street at 7.30am.

Mr Dennis said: "I am not suggesting he is the offender but he may have important information and we need to eliminate him from the inquiry."

Mrs Gray was led away from the conference in tears.