A man was fighting for his life last night and another was in a serious condition following a “sustained assault” in the early hours of the morning.

West Yorkshire Police cordoned off a snicket just off Ravenscliffe Avenue, Eccleshill, following the incident at about 1am yesterday.

The injured men have been named locally as Andrew Bedford and Steve Bedford, who are not believed to be related.

Four people have been arrested in connection with the incident.

Officers guarded the scene throughout the day as detectives carried out detailed investigations.

The snicket runs between Melton Terrace and a children’s play area near Ravenscliffe Youth Centre.

Detective Inspector Peter Craig, of Airedale and North Bradford CID, said: “At 1.10am on Sunday, police were called to Melton Terrace where two men were found having received serious injuries following a sustained assault.”

The men, aged 32 and 33, both of Ravenscliffe, were taken to Bradford Royal Infirmary. The 32-year-old was last night described as being in a serious but stable condition, while the 33 year-old was in a critical condition.

A 32-year-old man from Ravenscliffe and a 21-year-old man from Thorpe Edge have been arrested on suspicion of causing grevious bodily harm.

A 34-year-old woman from Ravenscliffe and a 23-year-old woman from Thorpe Edge have been arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice and assisting an offender.

A large number of residents gathered in Melton Terrace yesterday to discuss the incident.

One resident, who did not wish to be named, said: “Part of the street is blocked off and forensics have been here.

“Police have not told us much about it, but it seems very serious. The snicket is full of blood.”

A spokesman for Yorkshire Ambulance Service said: “We sent two ambulance crews and a rapid response vehicle. We took both patients to Bradford Royal Infirmary.”

e-mail: will.kilner @telegraphandargus.co.uk