A MAN has appeared in court to face a charge of attempted murder following an alleged stabbing in Spennymoor.

Mark Anthony Pearson, who is of no fixed abode, appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates Court this morning.

The 46-year-old is accused of the attempted murder of a man in Spennymoor on Monday, September 9.

He is also accused of possession of an offensive weapon, namely a folding lock knife, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse in a public place, namely Cambridge, at the same time.

Mr Pearson, dressed in a grey sweatshirt and wearing glasses, spoke only to confirm his personal details and no pleas were entered.

No application for bail was made by Mr Pearson's solicitor Suzanne Hanson so he was remanded into custody and District Judge Helen Cousins adjourned the case to Newcastle Crown Court, to be heard on the morning of October 10.

The charges relate to an incident outside of Aldi supermarket, in the town centre, just after 3pm.

A spokesperson for Durham police said the victim, a30-year-old man, remains in a critical but stable condition at James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough.