Five hurt in street disturbance

A 26-year-old man suffered serious head injures in a "running battle" between two groups of men in County Durham.

Police said about a dozen men - armed with golf clubs, baseball bats and spiked pieces of wood - attacked each other in Easington early on Monday.

The badly injured man is being treated in Newcastle General Hospital, where his condition is stable. Four other men suffered lesser injuries.

Four men have been arrested on suspicion of violent disorder.

A Durham Police spokesman said the "running battle", which happened on Cornwell Street, Cardiff Street and Corbett Street, was sparked when officers arrested a man on suspicion stealing a car and assault.