Headway Wearside will be officially launched at Sunderland's Stadium of Light during a day-long conference on brain injuries on Tuesday.

The service provides information, support and services to people with a brain injury, their families and carers.

One person who will benefit is Michael Brown, who suffered brain damage after he was savagely attacked in the street by two man in February.

Since the assault, in Laygate, South Shields, the 34-year-old has had to rebuild his life including learning how to cope with dramatic changes in his personality, memory problems and the fact that he now needs a walking stick to help him get around.

Mr Brown, from West Park, South Shields, said: "My life has been completely turned upside down by the assault. I have had to adapt to living with my disability including accepting that I may never work again.

"The support that Headway can offer to people like me and their families is invaluable." Mr Brown needed brain surgery to ease swelling after the attack, and spent three weeks in a coma.

His partner, Danielle Hartley, 29, was told the father-of-two was unlikely to make it.

His attackers, brothers Alan Henderson, 23, of John Williamson Street, and David Henderson, 29, of Vine Street, both South Shields, were each jailed for 15 months after admitting causing grievous bodily harm without intent at Newcastle Crown Court last month.

Headway Wearside, supported by Thompsons Solicitors, aims to help people with brain injuries all over the region, and was set up as there are few similar services in the area.

The launch event, called Improving Life after Brain Injury, will start at 9.45am.

It will include a number of talks from brain injury survivors about how they have coped with life following a brain injury.

Medical experts will also be on hand to offer advice on how to treat the condition.

To reserve a free place, or for further details, please contact Judith Forster on 269 0622 or e-mail judithforster@thompsons.law.co.uk.