INVESTIGATIONS were continuing last night after a man had parts of his ears chewed off in a vicious attack in his home.

Police believe the assault, by two armed men in a house in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, on Friday night, could have been a case of mistaken identity.

The 30-year-old victim had half of one ear and a third of the other ear chewed off.

He also sustained a broken nose, a possible fractured cheekbone and other injuries to his face in the attack.

He was kept in Darlington Memorial Hospital on Friday night before he was transferred to the James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, for plastic surgery. He has been released.

Yesterday, police renewed their appeal for witnesses to the incident, in Ida Place.

It is believed the man was watching television with a friend when the attackers arrived.

Armed with a kitchen knife and a broken bottle, they were let into the house and attacked the man.

The man's friend fled and raised the alarm, and the attackers ran off when they heard sirens.

A police spokesman said: "The victim is of the firm belief that he would not be alive today if it were not for the sound of the police sirens.''

The spokesman said the investigation suggested the man had been mistaken for someone else.

Witnesses are asked to call Newton Aycliffe CID on (01325) 314401 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.