POLICE are appealing for help to determine how an eight-year-old boy came to have a fractured skull.

Dale Bennett told his grandparents he fell off a wall near his home in Greenfields Road, Bishop Auckland, last Thursday.

But doctors at the town's hospital were so shocked by his injuries they contacted the police.

Acting Inspector Brian Maudling said: "Dale told his grandparents he had fallen off a wall and hit his head on the pavement not far from his home near to the junction of Gudmunsen Avenue.

"Later he said he couldn't remember exactly what had happened and doctors at the hospital considered he might have sustained his injury some other way, possibly in a road accident."

Anyone who can help should call (01388) 603566