A 51-YEAR-OLD man was left bleeding heavily on the ground after being attacked by two men who robbed him of his personal belongings in South Moor, Stanley.

A police spokesman said the victim was confronted in Fern Avenue in South Moor, as he was walking home around half-past midnight on Saturday morning.

The spokesman said: "He was only a few minutes away from his front door when he was attacked from behind by two men, knocked to the ground and punched and kicked.

"His attackers stole the man's wallet, which contained a small sum of cash, his watch and Nokia mobile phone and ran off when passers-by approached.

"They left their victim bleeding heavily on the ground and he was taken by ambulance to the University Hospital of North Durham."

Medical staff at the hospital confirmed he had suffered a split lip and extensive bruising to his face and chest, but fortunately no bones were broken.

The victim had caught the last bus from Durham and got off at the bus station in Stanley.

He had then walked around the back of Asda along Louisa Terrace towards the traffic lights at Oxhill, before turning left and walking down Park Road.

He then turned into Salisbury Street and was attacked as he approached the top of Fern Avenue.

Detective Constable Lisa Watson said: "This was a cowardly attack on the victim, who had been out for the evening with family and friends.

"If anyone who was in the area saw the incident we would urge them to come forward."

Anyone with information should call the police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800-555-111.