A 20-year-old man is in serious condition after he was bashed on the head with a wooden stake following an argument in the street on Friday night.

Richard Walters, of Neasden, had been at a centenary year reunion function at the Belmont School in Chiswick, when he went to Chiswick High Road with friends to visit shops.

The group became involved in an argument some younger men, which ended in punches being thrown.

Mr Walters and his friends then ran back to the school.

They had reached the school car park when one of the younger men who were following them pulled a wooden stake, used to support a small tree in the street, from the ground.

He then hit Richard over the head with the stake and ran off.

"An ambulance took Richard to hospital where he is in intensive care with serious head injuries. His family is by his side," police said.

The suspects in the group of younger men are all described as black and in their mid to late teens.

Anyone with information should call Hounslow CID on 020 8247 6160, or to remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.