A 26-YEAR-OLD man has been left with serious head injuries following an early-hours assault.

The incident took place between 1am and 1.30am on Monday, May 28, outside of the Cowpen Sports and Leisure Club, on Cowpen Lane, in Billingham.

The 26-year-old man remains in James Cook University Hospital in a stable condition.

A 30-year-old man has been arrested on suspicious of section 18 wounding and he has been released under investigation.

Any witnesses or anyone with information on the incident can contact Detective Constable Andrew Redhead from Stockton Operational Crime Team on the non-emergency number 101, quoting event number 094944.

Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or www.crimestoppers-uk.org