POLICE in Darlington are appealing for witnesses to a street fight which left a man unconscious.

Four men were involved in the incident, which happened near the Poundstretcher store in Bondgate, at 11pm on Friday.

The men, who are known to each other, had been out drinking in the town in groups of two.

One pair were waiting at a bus stop to go home when the other pair came across them.

Words and then blows were exchanged, resulting in a 21-year-old from Middleton St George being left concussed and his 33-year-old friend, from Bishop Auckland, sustaining facial injuries.

The younger man was out cold for about ten minutes. Both victims went to Darlington Memorial Hospital for treatment, with the Bishop Auckland man later being transferred to Middlesbrough General Hospital for cosmetic surgery.

A 24-year-old man from Middleton St George was subsequently arrested on suspicion of assault, interviewed and then released on police bail pending further inquiries.

Anyone who witnessed the incident is asked to contact PC Amanda Stevens on (01325) 742187.