A man who was badly beaten in an attack is in a stable condition, police confirmed last night.

Andrew Reid, 36, suffered multiple fractures to his face after he was kicked and punched during the incident, opposite Morrisons supermarket, in North Road, Darlington, at about 5.40pm last Tuesday.

He was originally taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital but later transferred to James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough.

Officers investigating the attack said he briefly regained consciousness, but is now being kept heavily sedated in hospital due to his injuries.

Mr Reid, from the North Road area of the town, will need to undergo extensive plastic surgery.

A police spokeswoman said: "The victim has been in and out of surgery and is being kept sedated. He is in a stable condition and when he regains consciousness he will be interviewed by police.

"At this stage, we are not asking anyone else to come forward with information."

* Carl Thomas Roberts, 31, of Cumberland Street, Darlington, has appeared before magistrates, in Newton Aycliffe, charged with unlawfully and maliciously causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

The bench declined jurisdiction in the case and he was remanded in custody until he appears before Teesside Crown Court on Thursday.