POLICE are appealing for witnesses to an assault on Easter Monday in which a 32-year-old man was seriously injured.

The incident occurred at 7.45pm on Monday, April 17, at the Eden Bar in Bede Way, Peterlee.

There had been a disturbance inside the bar, around the pool table area, involving two separate groups of men.

The fracas spilled out onto the street and the victim, who is from Peterlee, sustained a fractured cheekbone, two broken ribs and facial swelling.

His 29-year-old friend received minor facial injuries and both men were take for treatment at Hartlepool General.

Over the past two days, detectives have arrested two local men in their thirties on suspicion of assault. Both have been interviewed and released on bail until next month.

Yesterday, police said they were anxious to trace a third man believed to have been involved.

He is described as being between 20 and 30 years old, very thickset with a bald head and wearing a gold chain around his neck and possibly wearing track suit bottoms.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact PC Lindsay Brown at Peterlee CID on 0845 60 60 365, extension 6702611.