A TEENAGE boy is in hospital after being attacked in a Bishop Auckland street on Tuesday evening.

The 15-year-old is believed to have been kicked in the head several times and suffered a fractured right eye socket and a cut above his right eye.

The boy, who is not being identified, was detained initially at Darlington Memorial before being transferred to the James Cook Hospital in Middlesbrough, where he is undergoing further tests.

He was attacked in Seymour Street, Bishop Auckland, about 6pm on Tuesday, when witnesses told police that they had seen a number of people taking part.

Det Sgt Mark Willoughby said that several people had seen what happened and officers were especially anxious to trace a motorist who stopped at the scene.

The motorist, he said, tried to intervene in the attack but was forced to drive off when the group remonstrated with him.

The man was possibly aged about 60 and was driving a fairly new silver VW golf or Polo.

He and other witnesses are being urged to contact investigating officers at Bishop Auckland CID on 0345-6060-365 or Crimestoppers on 0800-555-111.

A local man, 36, and two local youths, aged 16 and 15, have been arrested in connection with the assault. After being questioned yesterday at Bishop Auckland police station they were released on police bail until next week.