A north Essex man has been arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm after an Ipswich father-of-three was seriously hurt during a night out.

Daniel Buck, of Oulton Road, Ipswich, spent nearly three weeks in hospital after suffering a fractured skull and a bleed to the brain.

It followed an incident at the Old Cattle Market bus station in Ipswich.

The 32-year-old scaffolder, who is a well-known local footballer, was taken to Ipswich Hospital where he was initially said to be in a serious, but stable condition.

He had been at Revolution in Old Cattle Market when he became embroiled in a verbal altercation with another man.

Although the argument was said to have been resolved, a man approached Mr Buck and his partner Natasha Cuthbertson in the fish and chip shop opposite the nightspot.

It was alleged Mr Buck was hit with an object before falling to the floor. The other man then left the scene.

Suffolk Constabulary subsequently released a CCTV image of a man it wanted to interview in connection with the incident, which occurred in the early hours of Easter Monday.

Tim Cracknell, a spokesman for the force, said a suspect has now been arrested.

Mr Cracknell said: “A 26-year-old man from the Clacton area has been arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm.

“He was interviewed by officers at Martlesham police investigation centre.

“He is currently on bail until June 23.”

Although Mr Buck is now said to have been released from hospital, he is still understood to be recovering from his injuries.

Mr Buck – known to many as “Bucky” or “Danny” – is a familiar face among grass-roots football teams in Suffolk.

He is a defender for Crane Sports Football Club – part of Suffolk and Ipswich Football League – and has previously played for Ipswich Wanderers and Ipswich Valley Rangers.

Shortly after the incident Crane Sports FC released a statement wishing Mr Buck a speedy recovery.

It said: “Our thoughts and best wishes go out to Crane stalwart and all-round good guy Danny Buck.”