DETECTIVES searching for a road rage attacker who slashed his victim's arm and face have received a number of calls from members of the public.

The response follows an appeal in The Northern Echo by the 26-year-old victim, in which he told of the incident on the A68, between Darlington and West Auckland, County Durham.

At about 12.45am last Wednesday, the victim was overtaken by a small white, Peugeot-style car on a bend and, after flashing his lights and sounding his horn in annoyance, the other car slowed down.

Both vehicles stopped between Toytop Farm and Sunnydale Farm, and the drivers got out.

Cursing, the driver of the white car drew a 4in knife and slashed the man, and beat him about the head, before driving off.

Detective Constable Peter Eddy said there had been a good response from the public.

He said: "There are a number of lines of inquiry that we are looking into, but we are still looking for people to come forward with information."

The suspect is in his 30s, male, white, about 6ft and stocky. He had short, dark hair and two or three gold-coloured hooped earrings in each ear.

Anyone who has any information is asked to contact either Darlington police, on (01325) 467681, or Crimestoppers, on 0800 555111.