A 42-YEAR-OLD man has been hospitalised after suffering lacerations across his stomach in Billingham in the early hours of Friday morning.

At around 12.45am, a man was reportedly the victim of a serious assault in the area of Quenby Road, Knole Road and Hatfield Road in the town. 

It's thought a car pulled up, before a man got out of the car and carried out the assault - police said they believed other men were inside the car at the time of the incident.

Police investigating said the victim suffered lacerations to his stomach and currently remains at James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough in a stable condition.

A spokesperson for Cleveland Police said: "Anyone with any information regarding the vehicle or the man responsible is asked to contact Stockton CID on 101 quoting 215074. 

"Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org."