POLICE have found part of an ear which was bitten off a firefighter.

Chris Williams, 27, had a lump of flesh torn from his right ear as he dealt with a car blaze at Rushyford, near Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, on Wednesday night. Police found the missing piece, using specialist lighting.

Mr Williams is recovering in hospital, following surgery.

Meanwhile, a councillor is calling for mandatory prison sentences for attacks on members of the emergency services.

In a letter to Prime Minister Tony Blair, Durham county councillor Tony Moore, who, is also a member of the local fire authority, said: "I want Tony Blair to ask Home Secretary Jack Straw to consider the possibility of introducing mandatory sentences for people who attack members of the emergency services. This was an absolutely scandalous attack and people can't be allowed to get away with this sort of thing."

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to telephone Newton Aycliffe police on (01325) 314401 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

l A man has been charged with wounding and will appear before Sedgefield magistrates on Wednesday