A MAN was fighting for his life last night after being stabbed in the street.

He was taken to hospital, where surgeons operated to stem internal bleeding. His condition was described as still critical after the surgery.

After he was found by a driver, at about 4pm in Grange Road, Darlington, the area was sealed off.

The man, thought to be in his 20s, was stabbed in the back near his kidneys.

As forensic officers checked the area, the road, one of the main routes into the town, was closed from the roundabout near the Grange Hotel to Blackwell Lane.

Officers appeared to be concentrating their efforts in an area opposite the Majestic Wine Warehouse.

One observer, Mick Heenan, who was in his car on his way home to the Harwood Lodge Guest House, when police stopped traffic to let an ambulance through, said: "We saw someone being laid on to a stretcher. There was a large group of people around him. We think it was a lad in his 20s."

The attack took place near a bail hostel and a homeless centre and was close to where the body of a baby was found last month. However, police activity was centred on number 46 Grange Road where officers took in equipment to force open an internal door.

Four police officers kept the area sealed off and redirected traffic while officers from the Crime Investigation Unit collated evidence.

Inspector Jim Pitcher said there had been no arrests last night, but added: "We are still in the very early stages of our inquiry."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Darlington police on (01325) 467681.