A MAN needed hospital treatment after he was seriously assaulted while on his way home.

The attack, which involved two men, took place close to the back of Darlington Civic Theatre on Borough Road between 1am and 1.15am on Tuesday, May 10.

One of the men approached and assaulted the 44-year-old male victim, who was making his way home to Melland Street which is a short distance away.

The attack left him with a serious leg injury for which he was treated at Darlington Memorial Hospital before being allowed home.

"The second man appears to have taken no part in the assault and may have been shocked at what happened," said Detective Sergeant Jim Cunningham.

"After the incident the suspect and his friend then left Borough Road onto Parkgate, and headed in the direction of the railway station."

The suspect is described as a white male aged between 20-25 years old, of slim build with very short brown hair which resembled an overgrown skinhead.

He had a North-East accent and was wearing a dark brown rounded neck jumper and dark coloured jeans.

Anyone with information should contact DC Jenny Gardiner at Darlington CID on 0345-60-60-365.