POLICE are hunting a knife-wielding thug who left a man seriously injured in an apparently motiveless attack.

The unnamed 20-year-old victim suffered head and back wounds when he was attacked outside the Marco Polo Italian restaurant, Dean Street, Newcastle, at 2.30am, on Saturday.

The man, who was out with friends, was stabbed twice in the back and once in the head by the teenager.

He was taken to the city's Freeman Hospital and underwent surgery.

His injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.

Police sealed off Dean Street for several hours in a search for clues.

They hope revellers pouring out of the city's nightclubs will help them in the search for the attacker.

A police spokesman said: "We do know this chap was out with friends. On the face of it, the attack seems unprovoked. We have no evidence to the contrary.

"From what witnesses have said the youth appeared with a knife and attacked this man.

"There is nothing to suggest there was a prior incident between the two.

"We have a number of witnesses, and there would have been quite a few people around at that time of night.

"We would appeal to anyone who saw anything to contact us."

Police said the man they were looking for is white, of slim build, about 5ft 6in, and in his late teens. He has a tattoo on his left forearm of a dragon or snake.

Anyone with information is asked to call Newcastle CID on 0191- 214 6555.