THE life of a teenager hangs in the balance after a town centre attack.

Stuart Lowe, aged 18, from Padgate, was taken to hospital in the early hours of last Thursday morning following the incident on Sankey Street, near to the Town Hall.

He was transferred to Walton Hospital in Liverpool, where his condition is described as critical.

But friends are rallying around the youngster, with Sophie Cowle, a 17-year-old from Great Sankey, setting up a Make a Change' campaign and website myspace.com/do_it_4_stu to make people more aware of the dangers of fighting.

She has been friends with the former Woolston High School pupil for three years and 84 people have already signed up to the web page.

She said: "Even if people don't know him they are still rooting for him.

"People need to be aware of what happened because Stu was the most quiet lad in the world and he has never put a foot wrong and he stood in the way of a friend and now he is in a critical condition."

Among the comments left on the website is a message from the Stuart's mum, Yvonne.

She said: "It's wonderful to see all the messages of support and all Stu's family are finding comfort from this. It's even more comforting the message is out there for nobody to have to go through this.

"Stu is the most wonderful, polite, caring, funny and sensitive young man I know and I'm so glad that everyone recognises this."

It is understood that the incident started at Bank Quay Social Club on Liverpool Road earlier on Wednesday evening.

It is thought Mr Lowe was attending a party for Priestley College students at the club and an argument broke out after two groups started chanting football songs.

A number of youths were seen to be fighting on Sankey Street and two were arrested at the scene.

A 17-year-old boy appeared at Halton Youth Court on Wednesday charged with three counts of actual bodily harm and one of unlawful wounding. He will next appear at Warrington Crown Court next week.

Another 17-year-old has admitted one count of using or threatening unlawful violence. He will appear at Warrington Youth Court next month.

Neither can be named for legal reasons.

The comments on this section have been frozen for legal reasons. If you would like to send a personal message of support to appear on this web page Email us here

Can't believe that i am reading about another attack, that's all you hear now a days. i knew stuart w and his family lived in Hazel street and stuart was only little. Hang in there stuart. Thoughts are with all the family. Xxx Kathy

my thoughts are with stuart's family at this moment in time, he didnt deserve this to happen to him. i was in stuart's year at woolston and it is a total shock what has happened to him. keep fighting stuart x Rachel

Another tragic incident,and still our country puts up with this crap.;bring back capital punishment,and lets see how many go out fighting on the streets then.

Wayne

This is a tragedy, and my thoughts go out to the families of all involved. Please remember that this is an ongoing investigation and do not mention any specifics which may or may not be correct.

Anon

Just want to send out my love and thoughts to stu n his family, Yvonne Kev n Danuuuulll :D (you know where i am hun!)!! hang in their stu i know you can do it.. ure a "LOWE" hehe!! EVERYONE N I MEAN EVERYONE is thinking and praying for you!! You can do it!! n i hope the people who have done it get what they deserve!! bet u never thought you'd make front page eh did ya :p hehe.. crackin picture though!! Jus wish you knew how many people love you hun!! Couldnt havev happened to such a lovely caring young lad like you =( all my love.. Beki and Family **** x thinking of you all the time x Bekii

Kevin, Yvonne, and Danielle our hart felt thoughts go out to you at this sad time eveybody at 5BP are thinking of you and are here to help when needed.

Peter.

Peter Lowe

Kevin and Yvonne our thoughts and prayers are with you hope stuart is ok all our families are thinking of you at this tough time God Bless.

Geoff and Neil Rourke

Kevin,Yvonne & Danni our hearts go out to you all, I cannot imagine how you are feeling. This should not have happened. I am absolutely heartbroken for you. Keep strong, and know that there are people who are thinking about you.

Love from your cousin Sue, and Wendy, Eric, Debbie, Nick and families.

To Yvonne and Family, Thinking of you at this difficult, we are all hoping that Stu pulls through.

Take care with love from all your friends and colleagues at Next xxx

Kev, Yvonne and Danielle, can't believe what we are reading, our babies have grown up now haven't they? We try to protect them but can't be with them 24 hours a day. We feel so much for you all, can't stop thinking about you, lets hope luck is on Stu's side and we pray to god things work out for him . You don't deserve this at all. Good luck and keep strong, you know there are a lot of people supporting you, especially your friends.

Love to you all Lou Andy Laura & Lucy Swift

hang in there stuart we are all thinking of you all the time i cant believe this happened to somebody as nice as you.

All the best from hannah and alex your cousins and beth xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Dear Kevin, Yvonne and Danielle, We are praying for Stuart.

Debbie, Jessica and Hannah.

To Yvonne, Kev and Danielle Keep hanging on Stu, everyone is praying and everyone has everything crossed!!!

Yvonne ,Kev & Dan you know where we are whatever you need, take comfort in all the people sending their love and wishes to you.

All our love Lyne, Mark Dominic & Dean Kevin, Yvonne, and Danielle , No words can say how much we feel for you at this terrible time.

You our in our hearts, when you need us we are here waiting to help.

All our love Jayne, Lindsay & All the players at Rylands Sharks

To Yvonne Kevin and Danielle. We just wanted to let you all know we are thinking of you. Stu will be forever in our hearts. Debbie Michael and Daniel x

A good friend of my sons who, has been in bits since this has happened. This has affected so many people, I cant begin to think how Stuarts parents are coping. Even though I don't know them, the despair in my sons face says everything and I just need to let them know we are all thinking about them, even though they dont know me. Im so sorry Ryans Dad