A MIDDLE-aged man was knocked out as trouble flared outside a busy restaurant and wine bar.

The incident happened at 9.30pm last Saturday (February 15) in the entrance to the car park opposite the Blue Spider wine bar and Pepe’s Restaurant, in Station Road, Beamish, County Durham.

In all, six people were assaulted by a mixture of men and women who are believed to have been in the restaurant and bar shortly beforehand.

One of the victims, a 52-year-old man, was knocked unconscious and needed hospital treatment. He also suffered severe bruising to his body.

One of his female companions was pushed over and suffered a possible hairline fracture of her knee, and another woman had an injury to her jaw.

Police are now seeking witnesses to the incident.

A spokesman for Durham Constabulary said: “The circumstances are still being investigated but police believe the victims were attacked after they tried to intervene in a verbal argument involving friends of the other group.

“No arrests have been made at this stage.

“Police are also looking to trace a potential witness, a man who is described as elderly and who was standing nearby and may have seen the incident take place.”

Any witnesses should call investigating officer Det Con Marco Fantin, based at Chester-le-Street on the police non-emergency number 101.