A MAN is in a serious condition in hospital after being beaten during a large disturbance at the weekend.

which happened in Horden in the early hours of Saturday morning.

A Durham Police spokesman said officers were called to an incident involving a number of people in Fifth Street, Horden, near Peterlee, at 12.40am on Saturday, June 18.

When police and paramedics arrived, they found a 26-year-old man with serious injuries, including one to his head, at an address in the street.

He was taken to the James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough where he remains in a serious condition.

Two men and a woman, all local, were arrested by police on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm.

They were later released on police bail while enquiries continue.

Insp Steve Thubron said: “Other suspects are outstanding and we expect to make further arrests in connection with this incident.

"At this stage, we are still unclear as to the motive behind this alleged assault and we hope to speak to the victim when he is well enough.

"If anyone has any information about what happened I would urge them contact us, or they can call the independent charity Crimestoppers if they prefer not to talk directly to police.”

Anyone with information should contact Durham Police 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 55511. The incident number is 0024 of June 18.