A SERIOUSLY injured man was airlifted to hospital following reports of an assault.

Emergency services were called shortly after 12pm this afternoon Hilda Park, Chester-le-Street.

A man in his 30’s was found was taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle by air ambulance.

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Two men and a woman have been arrested in connection with the incident and are currently in custody while enquiries are carried out.

A spokesman for Durham Constabulary: “Police are also aware that rumours of an incident taking place at a school in the same area have been circulating among the local community, but we can confirm that this is not the case.”

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