A MAN who moved from Middlesbrough to avoid incidents of violence was left needing facial surgery after an unprovoked attack.

The 28-year-old was enjoying a night out in Saltburn with his girlfriend when the incident happened at 11.15pm on Friday.

The couple were walking past Signals Bistro, in Dundas Street East, when they noticed two men, one urinating, in a small alleyway between the bistro and Zetland Mews.

One of the men ran up behind the victim and punched him in the face, fracturing his jaw in two places. A short scuffle followed before the two men ran off.

The victim, who asked not to be identified, said: "I am from Middlesbrough and I moved to Saltburn to get away from all the fighting and trouble and stuff. I didn't think it was like that here - people coming up behind you and punching you for no reason.

"I can't really remember that much about it - I think I tried to fight back a little bit - and the next thing I knew, I was in the ambulance."

The attacker is described as white, in his mid-20s, average build, 6ft, with short brown hair. He was wearing a light-coloured sweater.

The second man, who did not take part in the assault, is described as white, 5ft 8in, with dark hair and of average build.

There were a number of taxis waiting in the street, and police are appealing to their drivers, as well as to the many people who were walking around the area at the time, to contact PC Paul Stephenson, of the priority crime team, based at South Bank, on (01642) 301937.