A MAN received a broken jaw when he was attacked in the early hours of New Year's Day.

The 22-year-old who is recovering at home, in Chester-le-Street, was attacked in the town centre, at the junction of Newcastle Road and Pelaw Bank, between 1am and 2am, after celebrating New Year's Eve.

His attacker left him with serious facial injuries and he was taken to the University Hospital of North Durham, Durham City, for treatment and was then transferred to Sunderland Royal Hospital, where he was diagnosed as suffering from a broken jaw.

Detectives have ruled out robbery as a motive for the attack because nothing was stolen, but have not yet been able to establish any reason for the assault.

Anyone who was in the area at that time is asked to contact Chester-le-Street CID on 0845 60 60 365 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.