A VALLEYS doorman is recovering in hospital after suffering a fractured skull in an incident in Blackwood.

Chris Rudge, 47, is in a "serious but stable" condition at the University of Wales Hospital, Heath, Cardiff, after an alleged assault by a man in Market Avenue, just outside the Somerfield supermarket, on Friday night.

He was taken to the Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport, but transferred to Cardiff because of the seriousness of the head injury.

It is understood Mr Rudge had gone outside at 10.45pm to resolve an argument which began inside the Porters public house with a man who claimed his shirt had been burnt by a cigarette.

Porters landlord Paul Morris witnessed the alleged attack and believed it may have resulted in a fatality had he not been there.

Mr Morris, who has been landlord of the pub for 18 months, said: "They went outside as if they were friends, with their arms around each other.

"I shouted to Chris to see if everything was okay and he told me not to worry and go back inside but I didn't because I had a feeling something would happen.

"The next thing I knew, Chris had been hit and he went down like a sack of spuds. I shouted for the other bouncers to go and help and I think if I hadn't done that Chris would be dead now."

He added: "It was very dark and quiet there and I don't think anybody would have heard or seen anything until it was too late."

Porters bouncer CJ Clarke was one of the first on the scene and tried to keep her colleague from losing consciousness. She said: "I was holding his hand and talking to him, asking whether he could hear me or not. His eyes were rolling back in his head and he was covered in blood."

Mr Rudge was not working at the time but had called into the pub to lend a hand.

Detective Inspector Paul Evans said: "We are appealing for witnesses." Anyone with information is asked to contact Blackwood police station on 01495 223673.

* A 25-year-old man has been charged with causing grevious bodily harm with intent in connection with an incident in Market Avenue, Blackwood. He is due to appear before Blackwood magistrates on Friday.