A MAN is seriously ill in hospital after being stabbed during a brawl on a city estate.

Police were called to the Sherburn Road estate, in Durham, following reports of a fight involving up to six people, some armed with baseball bats.

Two buses passed close by, with passengers - as well as passers by - witnessing the violence.

However, when police arrived there was no sign of any incident.

It was only three hours later when police received a report of a damaged van spotted on a retail park that the details of the confrontation started to become clear.

It is thought the incident involved the occupants of at least two vehicles, a blue Vauxhall van and a red hatchback, which had apparently been in a crash.

The blue van was found on the nearby Dragonville industrial estate, with damage to its front end and its air bags having been deployed.

Police traced the owner, who identified the user, a 35-year-old man from Peterlee, who by then was in Sunderland Royal Hospital having suffered stab wounds to his torso, possibly to a lung.

Acting Detective Inspector Mick Kirtley said the man underwent an emergency operation and is currently on a ventilator.

He said: "We do not believe this was a random attack and from checks on CCTV we now believe there were three vehicles involved in this incident - the Vauxhall van, a red hatchback and a blue Volvo.

"It is imperative that we talk to everyone who saw the initial incident or knows about the van being abandoned on the Dragonville industrial estate.

"It is particularly important that we speak to the passengers who were on the buses."

The incident happened at about 5pm on Thursday evening.

Anyone who can help should call Durham Police on 0345-60-60-365 or Crimestoppers on 0800-555-111.