About a dozen men wielding golf clubs, baseball bats and spiked pieces of wood attacked each other in the major disturbance in the early hours of Monday morning.

Neighbours were woken when a 26-year-old man was attacked with baseball bats, while pinned down on top of a resident's car.

It is thought the men then assaulted the victim's father when he tried to help his son.

Spilled blood could clearly be seen spattered across the pavement in Cornwall Street, Easington Colliery, which is now the focus of a police investigation.

One Cornwall Street resident, who did not want to be named, said: "I slept through it but my partner was woken up and came down. A guy had been flung over a car and I think was assaulted with a baseball bat.

"I think his father came over to help him and he was been attacked with a bat as well."

Another resident, who also asked to remain anonymous, said he heard a scream just before midnight.

He said: "My girlfriend and I heard a scream and lots of people running about. There were a lot of gangs around.

"We never normally get that type of thing down here. It is quiet most nights."

The 26-year-old man who was attacked was taken to Newcastle General Hospital with serious head injuries. His condition is described as stable.

A 45-year-old man suffered head and neck injuries and was taken to the Sunderland Royal Hospital.

Three other men, aged 42, 33, and 21, were treated for minor facial injuries at the University Hospital of Hartlepool.

Durham Police said the fight started after officers arrested a man on suspicion stealing a car and assault.

A police spokesman said: "About a dozen men from two factions were involved in a running battle that took in Cornwall Street, Cardiff Street and Corbett Street.

"As a result of the fracas, in which some men were armed with golf clubs, baseball bats and spiked pieces of wood four men were taken to hospital for treatment."

Detectives hope to speak to the injured 26-year-old as soon as he is well enough.