A MAN has suffered a suspected broken leg following a row after a taxi was hit by an object thrown by a group of men.

Two men travelling in the taxi got out to confront the four men they believed were responsible for the incident, which happened at the junction of Oxford Road and Dorset Street, Hartlepool, at around 8.40pm on Friday, February 28.

A 48-year-old man was left with a suspected broken leg and facial injuries and is currently being treated in the University Hospital of North Tees in Stockton, while a 23-year-old man suffered minor facial injuries.

The four men are described as white males, three aged in their twenties and one in his fifties. The first was of skinny build, around 5ft 6ins tall, with short, dark hair, clean shaven and wearing a blue T-shirt and dark blue trousers.

The second is described as aged 20-30 years, around 5ft 6ins tall and unkempt. The third is described as aged in his mid-twenties with dark, short hair and around 6ft 6ins tall. The final man is described as 50-60 years old, of stocky build with wrinkles on his face and short, dark brown hair.

Any witnesses or anyone with information are asked to contact PC Diane Lee from Hartlepool Police on the 101 non-emergency number or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.