POLICE are appealing for help to determine how an eight-year-old boy came to have a fractured skull.

Dale Bennett told his grandparents he fell off a wall near his home in Greenfields Road, Bishop Auckland, on Thursday afternoon.

But doctors at the town's hospital were so alarmed at the severity of his injury they contacted the police.

They believe he could have been hit by a car at about 4.30pm, possibly near Tindale Crescent traffic lights.

The youngster was transferred to Middlesborough General Hospital yesterday where his condition was described as stable.

Acting Inspector Brian Maudling said: "Dale told his grandparents he had fallen off a wall and hit his head on the pavement not far from his home, near to the junction of Gudmunsen Avenue.

"Later he said he couldn't remember exactly what had happened and doctors at the hospital considered he might have sustained his injury some other way, possibly in a road accident."

Police are anxious to trace the driver of a blue Vauxhall Nova who may have seen what happened.

Anyone with information should contact Bishop Auckland Police on (01388) 603566