DETECTIVES are examining links between two attacks in which one man suffered a fractured skull and jaw.

A second man was also hospitalised following the incidents, which took place within hours of each other in the same area of Darlington.

Police believe baseball bats were used in both cases, and suspect the two assaults are linked.

Three men in their early-20s have been arrested and bailed pending investigations.

The 24-year-old Darlington man who suffered the fractured skull was last night recovering in hospital, where his condition is said to be improving.

He was attacked at about 11.30pm on Friday in the High Northgate area.

As he was walking along Hopetown Lane, towards Station Road, a car pulled up and people got out, before he was set upon. The attack happened hours after an incident which left a 25-year-old needing hospital treatment.

The man, from Darlington, was attacked shortly after 5.30pm at the junction of Surtees Street and Harcourt Street, close to Surtees News.

He was treated at Darlington Memorial Hospital for cuts to his head.

Last night, Detective Constable Dave Ripley appealed to anyone who saw either assault to call police.

He said: “There were a number of people in the area at the time the attack took place, and we are particularly keen to speak to a woman with a pushchair and another male close to her, whom we believe were nearby and may have seen something that could help with our inquiry.”

He said investigators are also keen to speak to the driver of a red taxi that was parked in Hopetown Lane late on Friday evening.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 01325- 742074 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800-555-111.