A REWARD of £5,000 is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of men who attacked an animal rights campaigner.

John Gill, 53, suffered cuts and severe bruising to his face, body and legs, when three men burst into his home and systematically punched, kicked and beat him with a baseball bat last week.

Unemployed Mr Gill, of Front Street, Castleside, near Consett, County Durham, who was attacked at 9.30am last Thursday, claims he was targeted for the attack because of his ongoing destruction of animal snares.

A police spokesman, who confirmed last night that a family friend had offered the reward, said all three men who attacked Mr Gill were thought to be aged about 30.

It is believed they left the scene in a short-wheel-based Suzuki 4X4, with a grey bottom half and a dark maroon top.

The car was seen parked in Church Street on the day of the attack and was spotted in the area the day before.

The police spokesman said one attacker was 6ft, heavily built and weighed about 18 stone. He had a shaven head.

He was wearing a black waist-length black bomber-type jacket and khaki trousers.

Another attacker was 5ft 10, of medium build. He was well-groomed, with short, black hair, parted on the right side.

He was wearing a black leather bomber jacket.

The third attacker was 5ft 10in, with close-cropped, mousy hair. He wore a brown bomber jacket.

Anyone with information has been asked to telephone (01207) 504204, or to speak confidentially call 0800 555111.