POLICE are appealing for four people to come forward after a man suffered a serious head injury in an assault in Darlington.

The victim, a 28-year-old local man, was walking along Stanhope Road South at about 8.45pm on Friday, February 5, when it is believed he was assaulted outside Arc estate agents at the junction of Langholm Crescent and Coniscliffe Road.

He was taken to the James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, with a serious head injury. He is reported to be in a stable condition.

Detective Constable Neil Stannard, of Darlington CID, said enquiries revealed a group of four men were in the vicinity at around the time the incident took place.

“I would urge them and anyone else who has information that might assist us with our investigation into this incident to come forward," he said.

Anyone with information is asked to call the non-emergency 101 number quoting reference DJ1600904.