Your Town, Your Choice is an attempt to challenge what is considered acceptable at night in the town.

Less than 36 hours after it was announced, a "totally unprovoked" attack on a man waiting at the Hamilton taxi rank left a 32-year-old father-of-two lying in the street in a critical condition.

He was hurt in an encounter involving two groups of men at around 12.30am on Sunday.

His father, from Warwick, who did not want to be named, was due to attend attempts to revive him in hospital on Tuesday afternoon. But the victim remained in a critical condition and had not woken up on Thursday.

Police are appealing for witnesses - and particularly want to speak to three men seen in the area before violence broke out, who later walked away in the direction of Regent Grove. The injured man is understood to be a father-of-two from the Chase Meadow area.

His father said: "It wasn't a fight, it was a totally unprovoked attack. My son had just put his head into a cab to ask if it would take him home when three yobs came up and one just smacked him. One of his friends is going to emigrate to Australia and they had been in town to see him off.

"He's a married father - and not the type to be looking for a fight. He texted his wife to say he was on his way home and that was the last we heard."

He said two of the men responsible for the attack were white, and the other of an Asian appearance.

Witnesses should call Det Con Richard Priestly on 415000, ext 4176, or the anonymous Crimestoppers number on 0800 555111.

Speaking on Friday, district commander Chief Insp Martin McNevin had said: "Although problems in Leamington may be small in comparison to other areas nationally, there have been a number of serious violent incidents since April 1 and continued incidents of anti-social behaviour.

"This is unacceptable. We must change the mindset of these people to help residents and visitors enjoy a pleasant town in which to live, work and have fun. It is important to underline to those misbehaving and committing violence, that their behaviour could impact long term on themselves."

'Enjoy yourself - but behave, say police'. Click here.