POLICE are appealing for help in finding teenagers who attacked a council worker causing facial wounds which required eight stitches.

The attack on gulley wagon driver John Reed, who works for Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, was the second in three weeks - he was hit by a brick in his left eye three weeks ago.

Last Wednesday he was confronted by a group of five youths, aged about 16, as he worked clearing a drain in Teesville.

"They were spitting at me," he said. "I got out of the wagon and asked what they were doing and then a kid's pushbike hit me in the eye and broke my glasses.

"They were just yobs looking for trouble. I was more or less blind looking for my glasses and they were just laughing. Then they ran off."

The council's cabinet member for environmental improvement, Councillor Barbara Harpham, said: "I think it is absolutely disgusting that a man can't go to work without being abused like this.

"I want the police to find these people and prosecute them."

Langbaurgh police's head of operations, Superintendant Dee Collins, said: "We are investigating and I would encourage anyone with information to come forward.

"I will not tolerate this sort of behaviour and I can promise the community I will make every possible effort to prosecute those responsible."

Mr Reed is expected to return to work this week.