Police are searching for two men after they attacked another man with a sledgehammer at Stockton yesterday.

A 38-year-old man was on Dunbar Street when he noticed a car stop near him.

As he approached the car two men walked towards him, one armed with a sledgehammer.

He attempted to run from the men when he tripped and fell to the ground. The men struck him to the head and legs with the sledgehammer before fleeing the scene.

The injured man was able to make his way home and was taken to Newcastle Hospital for treatment for a fractured skull, abrasions and bruising and remains in a stable condition.

Officers from Newcastle City Police District attended Dunbar Street and established a crime scene which was forensically examined.

One of the men is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 20-30 old, with thin a thin build. The other man is described as being of Caucasian appearance, aged in his mid-40s with greying hair.

Investigations are ongoing.