A SOLDIER was taken to hospital with facial injuries after being attacked on a night out.

The 19-year-old, who is based at Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, was found unconscious in the street outside Route 66 in King Street, Darlington.

Police had been called to a report of a number of men fighting at about 12.20am on Sunday when officers found him.

He was taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital, but his injuries were not thought to be serious.

Officers stopped and questioned a group of revellers nearby, but following examination of security TV footage, have eliminated them from their inquiries.

Sergeant Graham Charman, of Darlington police, said: "We don't know why this man was assaulted and want to hear from anybody who saw what happened.

"It would have been busy in that area at that time and somebody would have seen the attack."

Anyone with information is asked to call (01325) 467681.