Police are appealing for witnesses after a man suffered facial and head injuries in an assault in Stockton.

The incident happened between midnight and 2am on Friday, August 13 on Yarm Lane at the junction with Bowesfield Lane.

As the victim, a man aged in his fifties, stopped to light a cigarette, the man was assaulted by a number of males and ended up on the floor in the middle of the road.

A passing taxi driver stopped to assist the victim and officers would like to appeal to this driver to come forward and speak with them as he may be able to assist with their enquiries.

The victim suffered facial injuries and a fractured skull and required surgery.

Any witnesses or anyone with dash cam or CCTV footage of the incident is asked to contact Detective Constable Nigel Rusby from Stockton CID on 101, quoting incident number 136300.

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