DETECTIVES believe a distinctive cartoon tattoo could help them identify a man found unconscious with serious head injuries in a York street.

Officers said the mystery victim, who has a tattoo of the computer game character Sonic The Hedgehog tattooed on his right bicep, could have been assaulted or badly hurt in a hit-and-run collision.

The man was discovered by a passer-by in exclusive St Paul's Square, York's only garden square, off Holgate Road, at 11.20pm yesterday.

He was today transferred to Leeds General Infirmary, where he remained unconscious.

DC Duncan Thackray, of York CID, said officers were concerned that they had not yet identified the man, who was not carrying any personal documents.

The injured man is in his 30s, with short brown hair. He was dressed casually in a grey leather jacket, cream jumper, blue jeans and brown shoes. He was also wearing a Seiko watch.

Mr Thackray said: "It was a busy time of night with lots of people walking up and down Holgate Road. We would urge anybody who saw an incident near St Paul's Square to come forward.

"We would also ask anybody who recognises the man's description, perhaps if they saw him in town earlier in the evening, to contact us urgently."

Police forensic experts were today expected to examine the scene of the incident, in the middle of St Paul's Square, which has been cordoned off and protected by a police tent.

Paramedics, who took the man to York Hospital, reported that he had suffered "multiple injuries". He is not believed to have been drinking excessively.

A worker at the nearby Holgate Hill Hotel said officers had asked customers and staff late last night if they owned a blue Ford Focus car, parked yards away from where the man was found.

James Farrington, who runs Holgate Bridge News, said Holgate Road was generally a "good area" to live in and that he did not know of any similar incidents recently.

He said: "We've never had anything like this. All the customers are asking what happened."

Anyone with information can phone York Police on 01904 631321 or Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111.

Updated: 10:06 Saturday, November 15, 2003