POLICE are appealing for witnesses to an assault which took place in County Durham earlier this month.

The incident took place near Woolworths on Newgate Street, Bishop Auckland, between 11.30pm and midnight on Friday, March 14.

The victim, a female in her 40s, had been drinking in The Beehive pub in Kingsway, where she began talking to a man.

The pair left the pub and walked along Kingsway towards the Market Place, but an argument broke out between the man and a woman believed to be his daughter.

The victim continued walking but the young woman caught up with her, grabbed her by the hair and punched her to the head.

Police say the victim was pushed against the wall, and the attack continued. A second female is said to have arrived and joined in the assault.

The victim managed to get away, but was again confronted by both attackers further up the street. She suffered a broken nose and a whiplash injury to her back.

The man who was originally talking to the victim is described as being white, between 6ft 2ins and 6ft 4ins tall and of a medium build. He was about 40, with short gelled hair, and was wearing a white pinstripe shirt and jeans.

The first attacker was white, between 5ft 4ins and 5ft 6ins, slim and wearing black. She was about 18 years old, and had dark blonde or light brown hair in a bobbed style.

The second female was also white, between 5ft 4ins and 5ft 6ins and slim. She was 18 or 19, with shoulder length straight black hair, and was wearing dark clothing.

PC Jonny Smails of Bishop Auckland police said: "This would appear to be an unprovoked attack. I would like to request anyone with information about what had occurred on the night or details about the identity of both female attackers and the male."

Anybody with information can contact PC Smails on 0845-6060365.