POLICE are appealing for witnesses to an assault in Bishop Auckland earlier this month.

The attack happened near Woolworths, in Newgate Street, on Friday, March 14, between 11.30pm and midnight.

The victim, a woman in her 40s, had been drinking in The Beehive, 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 younger woman caught up with her, grabbed her by the hair and punched her 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 attack.

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 was described as white, between 6ft 2in and 6ft 4in 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 4in and 5ft 6in, slim and wearing black. She was about 18, and had dark blonde or light brown hair in a bobbed style.

The second woman was also white, between 5ft 4in and 5ft 6in 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 ask anyone with information about what had occurred on the night, or details about the identity of both female attackers and the male, to contact us."

Anyone with information can contact PC Smails on 0845-60-60- 365.