A MAN who suffered severe head injuries in a brawl outside a Sarisbury pub has lost his fight for life.

Police have named him as Paul Bowers, of Austen Gardens, Whiteley.

The 32-year-old plant operator was pronounced dead at Southampton General Hospital's neurological unit at 10pm yesterday.

He had been in intensive care since the incident which happened outside the Bold Forester pub in Bridge Road at 2am on Wednesday.

A post-mortem examination will be carried out by a Home Office pathologist to determine how Mr Bowers died.

Today police officers will re-interview Gary Shorney, 34, a window cleaner of Franklin Road, Gosport, in connection with Mr Bowers' death.

He had been due to appear at Fareham Magistrates' Court today after being charged with causing grievous bodily harm.

After the incident the pub was cordoned off while a team of forensic experts carried out a fingertip search of the premises.

Police officers also carried out door-to-door inquiries in a bid to piece together what happened.

It is believed the alleged attack was linked to an incident that happened earlier in the night at the pub.