A MAN was taken to hospital with a wound to his back following a suspected machete attack in Middlesbrough.

Armed police were called to the Valley Road in Grove Hill on Friday night in a bid to track down the suspects, but none were found.

A Cleveland Police spokesperson said: "We were called at around 8.50pm on Friday last night to reports that a man had a wound to his back, believed to be caused by a machete and that he was on Valley Road in Middlesbrough.

"The man was taken to hospital by ambulance. Armed officers attended the scene and did a search of the area, but no suspects were found.

"An investigation has begun to identify the person or group responsible."

Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call Cleveland Police on the non-emergency number quoting ref 007731 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.