A 15-year-old boy has been charged in connection with an attack which left a man fighting for his life.
The 42-year-old suffered a serious chest injury when he was stabbed near St Thomas Aquinas Church on North Road, Darlington, early on Saturday.
Another 15-year-old boy who was also arrested has been released on bail.
Durham Police said the accused teenager was due before South Durham magistrates on Monday charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
The victim, who is from the Darlington area, is described as being in a serious but stable condition in Middlesbrough James Cook University Hospital.
After the attack, the victim was assisted by a number of young men who administered first aid on the direction of an NHS operator, and attempted to flag down passing motorists.