A MAN remains in a serious but stable condition after he was assaulted on Wednesday afternoon.

Police were called to reports of an assault on Market Street, Ferryhill, at around 2.25pm.

It is believed an argument took place outside of The Post Boy pub between two men, the suspect then punched the victim to the face which caused the victim to fall to the floor where he lay unconscious.

Shortly after, the suspect was seen making off in a white Audi A4.

The injured man, a 51-year-old from Stockton, was taken to The James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough where he was sedated and described as being in a serious but stable condition.

Witnesses told The Northern Echo that a number of people who were in the area at the time of the incident went to the injured man's aid until emergency services arrived at the scene.

A spokesperson for Durham police said a 30-year-old man has since been arrested on suspicion of assault by causing grievous bodily harm and remains in custody.