A STUDENT was last night fighting for his life after he broke his neck following a dispute at a Southampton nightclub.

The 21-year-old was at the Kaos club in the city celebrating a friend's birthday when the incident happened.

According to police, the student, who was dressed in a punk outfit as part of the celebrations, was involved in a dispute that prompted a crowd to gather and door staff to intervene.

As a result the student ended up lying unconscious on the nightclub floor. Paramedics were called to the scene early on Tuesday and took him to Southampton General Hospital where he remains in a critical condition in intensive care.

Detectives arrested a 30-year-old man on suspicious of causing grievous bodily harm with intent. The suspect was being questioned by police last night.

Meanwhile, the St Mary's Road nightclub remained sealed off for most of yesterday while officers conducted forensic examinations and began taking witness statements from people who were at the club at the time of the incident at around 2.25am.

Around 30 officers spent yesterday taking statements and seizing CCTV footage from the area.

Det Insp Kath Barnes of Bitterne CID said: "The young man is in a very serious condition in hospital and our job is to find out the events that led up to him being found unconscious on the floor.

"We know that the group were in punk outfits and were standing near to the toilets. So we really need to hear from anyone who was in that area or queuing up for the toilets who may have seen or heard anything that they think may help us piece together how this injury occurred.

"We have a large team working on the investigation and have had great support already from the student community and all concerned. We are also working with the student campus, not only to encourage more people to come forward who haven't already spoken to us but to offer any support they might need."

The 21-year-old's family has travelled from their home in Pontypool to be at his bedside. The student community at Southampton Solent University where he is studying said their thoughts were with the student's family.

A spokesman said: "Our primary concern is for the student and their family at this difficult time. We are working closely with the police to assist them in their appeals for further information."

No one was available at Kaos nightclub for comment.

Anyone who was at the club on Monday night and who may have any information that could help with the investigation can contact Bitterne CID, quoting Operation Edmond, on 0845 045 4545 or contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.