POLICE are appealing for information after an assault in which a man was left in hospital with facial injuries.

Officers say the victim, a 48-year-old local man, was injured in Sacriston, near Chester-le-Street on Friday evening.

He was involved in an incident near the Tesco store in Front Street at around 9pm and was taken by ambulance to the University Hospital of North Durham where he required surgery for his injuries.

Anyone who witnessed the incident is asked to ring Durham City police on 0345 6060 365 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.