FRANK Pemberton, the 55-year-old man attacked with a spade outside a Northwich town centre bar at the weekend, is showing signs of recovery.

The popular steward of The RAOB (Buffs) Club on Witton Street has been in intensive care at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire with serious head injuries following a fracas outside Madisons in High Street at 1am on Saturday.

But Cheshire Police spokeswoman Shelley Williams said today, Wednesday: “He is off the ventilator and his condition is now described as ‘stable’.”

On Sunday night 33-year-old Madisons security guard Mark Igoe, of Milton Grove in Warrington, was charged with two counts of wounding with intent to commit GBH.

He appeared at Northwich Magistrates Court on Monday and was remanded in custody until May 12, when he will appear at Chester Crown Court.

Mr Pemberton’s son Paul and wife Sandra were also hurt during the incident.

It is believed Mr Pemberton, of London Road, Northwich, had tried to intercede after worried friends told him his son was involved in an altercation with door staff.

Madisons owner, 41-year-old John Bates of Priory Street, Northwich, was initially arrested on suspicion of assault, but later released on bail until May 16, pending further enquiries.

Police are still appealing for information regarding a white Ford Transit van which left the area shortly after the attack, and are attempting to locate the spade used, which they believe was dumped.