A man was critically ill in hospital last night after being found unconscious following an alleged assault at the weekend.

A police spokesman said the 22-year-old, who has not been named, was found in Stockton Road, Seaham, east Durham, at 1am on Saturday.

He was taken to Newcastle General Hospital suffering from serious head injuries.

The spokesman said: "It is believed the victim, who is from the Seaham area, may have been drinking in local pubs before being assaulted.

"There would have been a lot of people in the area at the time, as local licensed premises would have been turning out."

Detectives are particularly keen to speak to a man who called the emergency services from a public telephone in the street.

Police were questioning a 37-year-old man, a 35-year-old woman and a 17-year-old youth last night.

Anyone with information is asked to call Seaham police, on 0191-581 2255.