POLICE investigating a New Year's Day assault arrested two more men last night.

A 23-year-old from Beech Crescent, and a 28-year-old from Albert Street, both Seaham, County Durham, were being questioned by detectives.

A 28-year-old man from Seaham, arrested on Wednesday, was still being held at Peterlee police station.

Two other Seaham men, aged 27 and 31, have been released on police bail pending further inquiries.

Police called to a house in Frederick Street, Seaham, early on New Year's Day, found two men, aged 18 and 26, with fractured skulls. They are recovering in Newcastle General Hospital. A 38-year-old man is in Sunderland Royal Hospital, with two broken legs and a broken elbow. All three are from the Shiremoor area of North Tyneside.

Police believe the men were attacked with baseball bats and a bladed weapon.

The incident is thought to be linked to disturbances in Seaham's Fern Crescent, on New Year's Eve, and the Duke of Wellington pub, Seaham Harbour, on Boxing Day.

Anyone with information is asked to telephone Seaham CID on 0191-581 2255.