A MAN was knocked unconscious when he was mugged in a street late at night.

The 24-year-old was walking along Surtees Street, Darlington, towards the town centre, at about 11pm on Thursday when the robbery took place.

As he passed a group of about eight men and women, congregated outside a 24-hour snack outlet, he was struck on the head, knocked to the floor and kicked in the head and body until he lost consciousness.

When he woke, he found that the bicycle he had been pushing, his Nokia 7610 mobile telephone, and £3 had been stolen. He suffered minor cuts and bruises to the face.

Police in Darlington are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information about the attack to contact Acting Inspector Alison Jackson or PC Leanne Thorns on (01325) 742134.