A GANG of teenage thugs is being hunted after a young woman was knocked unconscious on the landing outside her boyfriend's flat.

Claire Lewis lay bleeding from head injuries for several hours after she was set upon by youths who may have been sniffing glue.

The 27-year-old call centre worker was only found when her boyfriend returned to the flat, in Peterlee, County Durham, from a night out last Friday.

Claire was taken to hospital in Hartlepool, before being transferred to Middlesbrough General, where she received 26 stitches to her face and head.

She is now recovering at the nearby home of her mother, Mildred.

Speaking yesterday, she said she could remember nothing after a youth wearing a baseball cap ran upstairs towards her, banging her head against a wall outside the first floor flat, in Wansbeck Close.

It is thought members of the group of six youths, two of whom were girls, then kicked her about the head and body as she lay unconscious.

Claire said the incident arose when she remonstrated with the youths after they tried to kick open the door of the flat.

"I went out and shouted down at them, but they were back-chatting me.

"One of them ran up and got hold of my face and knocked me back. The last thing I remember is getting smacked against the brick wall."

Claire claimed youths congregate in the stairwell of the flats to sniff glue and take other substances.

Detective Constable Phil Keighley, of Peterlee CID, described it as a "senseless and vicious attack".

He urged anyone in the vicinity of Wansbeck Close last Friday evening to ring either Peterlee police station, on 0191-586 2621, or call Crimestoppers, on 0800 555111