A busy dual carriageway had to be closed by police as they searched for the severed penis of man who was found severely injured.

The 40-year-old was discovered in a distressed way on the A66 in Middlesbrough at 4.50am on Thursday morning.

Officers were called to the scene and found the man with “wounds to his groin area” and as a result he was taken to hospital.

A section of the road was then closed off as it is believed officers were searching for his missing penis.

A 22-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of assault and is in police custody.

A Cleveland Police spokesman said: “Police can confirm that the man found this morning on the A66 had wounds to his groin area.

“A 22-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of assault and is currently in police custody.

“Officers are continuing to investigate and are appealing for anyone with information to contact them on the non-emergency number 101.”

The road closure has since been lifted.