A gas engineer is fighting for his life today after he was beaten and left for dead by a gang of thugs - over a cigarette.

Martin Bramhall suffered serious head injuries when he was attacked by three men as he waited for a taxi after a night out.

The assault is thought to have occurred after the men asked the 25-year-old non-smoker for a spare cigarette.

Bramhall's partner Mahjabeen Ansaru, 25, told how he managed to catch a taxi home before being rushed to hospital where he was placed in a drug-induced coma.

Fighting for his life: Martin Bramhall - pictured before and after the attack - was savagely beaten by thugs for failing to give them a cigarette

'He came home in a taxi and came straight to the bedroom, he was unsteady on his feet and told me something was wrong'  she said.

"He asked me to turn the light on and I could tell something was clearly wrong, the right side of his face was covered in blood, he was crying and not making any sense.

"Martin had gone to the taxi rank and was asked for a cigarette. He said no and they just launched into him, it was three on one he had no chance.

Bramhall was waiting for a taxi outside the Bar One near Stockport, Greater Manchester when the incident occured

"I am devastated. Martin is really popular, very loyal and outgoing. We have a big group of friends and we had been looking forward to getting the house ready together.'

It is feared that even if Bramhall survives he may have permanent brain damage as a result of the beating.

Devastated: Bramhall's partner Mahjabeen Ansaru has been keeping a vigil at his hospital bedside

The assault occurred in the early hours of Saturday morning when Bramhall an engineer for the National Grid, had been out with two friends in Bar One in Hazel Grove near Stockport.

Greater Manchester Police have set up a dedicated hotline for information to track down the attackers.  

Det Chief Insp Simon Retford who is leading the inquiry said: "This was a serious assault and is being investigated by us as a very serious incident.

"Many witnesses have been coming forward, but I don't think the offenders realise the seriousness of their actions.

"At the moment, Martin's family is distraught by what has happened, but luckily Martin is fighting hard.

"I am appealing to the consciences of those responsible, and those that know them; come forward and explain yourselves before we track you down."

The attackers are said to be white men in their late teens or early 20s. One was 5ft 10 chubby and wearing a grey hoodie and jeans.

Another was 5 ft 8 with dark hair a d a yellow T shirt. The third had short hair and was wearing a tracksuit top with dark sleeves and a lighter body.