POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a man was bitten on the face after a night out in a North-East town centre.

The 23-year-old victim has had to undergo plastic surgery amid fears he may be permanently disfigured.

He was waiting at a bus stop in Houndgate, Darlington, between 2am and 2.30am on Sunday (October 28), when he was attacked by a passer-by.

Detective Sergeant Sean Jackson, of Darlington CID, said the assault appeared to have been unprovoked.

The victim was taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital, before being transferred to the University Hospital of North Durham, where he underwent plastic surgery.

He was bitten across the bridge of the nose, resulting in scarring and a damaged tear duct.

Det Sgt Jackson said: “Investigations are at an early stage, but so far everything so far leads us to believe this was an unprovoked on a male who has enjoyed a night out and was waiting to go home.

“This was quite a savage attack, the victim was in shock afterwards and is concerned for what the future holds.

“He is potentially going to have some form of permanent disfigurement and at the moment does not know how bad it is going to be.”

The victim had left Harvey’s bar, in the town centre, when the attack happened.

Police are reviewing CCTV and Det Sgt Jackson wants people who were in the area at the time to come forward.

He said: “He was at the bus stop waiting to get picked up, when a male has approached him and bit him in the face.

“There were people in the bus stop who came to his assistance, there is a burger van in the area, so there was lots of people around and it is these people we hope will come forward.

The offender is described as a white male in his mid-20s, with a stocky build.

He was wearing a navy jacket with a white T-shirt underneath, jeans and black boots.

Det Sgt Jackson added: “The people who witnessed this attack would remember it, it is quite unusual for this level of violence to be used and it is unusual for someone to bite someone else in the face.

“We will get to the bottom of it.”

Witnesses are asked to call police on 101 and ask for Det Sgt Jackson, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800-555-111.