A MAN is to undergo surgery after being suffering serious injuries in what is believed to be a knife attack.

The 56-year-old was assaulted following a night out in Hartlepool shortly before 1am on Sunday morning.

He suffered serious injuries to his hands and face after being targeted by a man wielding what police say could have been a knife.

The attack happened at the back of a property on Durham Street in the Headland area of the town.

A spokeswoman for Cleveland Police said: “The suspect is described as a man of around 6’2” in height, of slim build and wearing a hat. “It’s believed a knife was used during the assault.

“The victim received treatment to his hands and also for facial injuries at the University Hospital of North Tees.

“We would appeal for anyone who heard or saw anything suspicious in the Durham Street area in the early hours of Sunday to contact PC Jonathan Sharp via the 101 number, quoting event 25126.”