POLICE are appealing for witnesses to an attempted robbery in which a father and son were attacked in the street.

The incident happened at about 5pm, on Sunday, in Stockton Street, Hartlepool, outside public toilets.

A Cleveland Police spokeswomen said: "A father and son, on a day out in the town, were subjected to a vicious attack by three youths trying to snatch a highly valued camera.

"When the son held on to the camera he was punched in the face, which resulted in severe lacerations."

The father, who is in his sixties, was also attacked.

The youths ran off when the victims started shouting for help from the public. The youths are described as being aged between 18 and 21, white, and of slim to medium build.

One was fair and two had dark brown hair. They were all wearing jeans. The main attacker had a yellow T-shirt with Head printed on it.

Witnesses should ring PC Jim Petford on (01642) 302126.