The incident, apparently unprovoked, happened last Saturday at the rear of Sunderland Road in Horden, not far from The Legion club.

The 18-year-old victim had been out drinking with friends during the day, but at about 10pm he set off for his home in Peterlee.The next thing he remembers is waking up in the street with injuries, mainly to his left arm, after presumably being assaulted.

He was treated at Sunderland Royal Hospital where it was discovered a metal plate in his arm, which had been put there after he suffered a broken arm as a result of an accident, had been bent out of shape by the force of the blows.The dislodging of the plate resulted in a new fracture to the arm and he also had a broken left wrist.

Pc Helen Richardson, of Durham Police, said: "It would seem the victim has been punched or kicked unconscious and we need to hear from anyone who saw what happened."

Anyone with information can call Crimestoppers, tel: 0800 555111 or ring Durham Constabulary's non-emergency number, tel: 0845 6060 365 and ask for Peterlee police.