DETECTIVES are hunting two men who brutally raped a gay man in Middlesbrough town centre.

The attack took place in the early hours of Saturday, March 10, after the 24-year-old had been for a night out.

The victim was dragged into a secluded area near the town's new art gallery, mima, and subjected to the horrific assault as he was making his way home.

Detective Inspector Chris Sadler said: "This is a very serious and thankfully a rare crime. The victim, who is quite a gentle person, has been subjected to a sickening sexual assault of the worst kind and has been left deeply shocked.

"We are appealing for anyone who can identify, or suggest possibilities for the identity of the people to come forward and give us a call."

The first attacker was 25 to 26-years-old, white of strong build, with short cropped brown hair and a round face. He had Chinese-style symbols tattooed on his inner arm.

He was wearing a white, short-sleeved T-shirt, dark coloured cargo pants, Nike Air Rif training shoes and had a distinct gold buckle ring on the middles finger of his right hand.

The second man is also white with a muscular build and around the same age. He was wearing a white V-neck short-sleeved T-shirt and light blue jeans.

"It is possible these men are from the gay scene but it would be wholly wrong to assume that," DI Sadler added. "This attack could have been committed by apparently straight men for a variety of reasons and could easily be a homophobic or abusive attack.

"I would ask people to have an open mind and ask themselves the question: 'Do I know these people, are they a friend, a partner or relation?' If you have any suspicions give us a call.

"We will be in a position to eliminate innocent people from the enquiry.

"If you recognise yourself from the description or the circumstances I would ask you to call us, we will be only too happy to listen to anything that you have to say."

Anyone with information can contact Cleveland Police on 01642-303126 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.