POLICE are appealing for information after two masked men threatened a terrified young mother to try and get for the combination to a safe.

The pair walked through her front door, which was unlocked, at about 10am on Friday, as the 27-year-old was feeding her two-year-old son.

Both men, wearing balaclavas, demanded to know where she kept the safe and what the combination was.

Then while one kept his hand over her mouth the other searched the home in Byland Close, St Helen Auckland, County Durham.

Det Insp Simon Orton, of Bishop Auckland CID, said "She was terrified for her own safety and that of her young son.

"Her partner was out at work and these two intruders just came in through the front door and started issuing their demands.

"At this stage we don't know if this was simply a random attack by two opportunist burglars, or whether they had information which led them to believe there was money in the house."

The victim eventually broke free, ran out to the back of the house and called on neighbours to raise the alarm.

As she did the pair left through the front door. It is not thought they got away with anything.

Police believe the men may have been in a dark coloured Ford Focus car which was parked at the junction of Byland Close and Tintern Road.

The vehicle was seen and heard to speed away seconds after the incident.

The man who restrained the woman was about 5ft 11ins tall, slim and almost certainly white. His balaclava appeared to be home-made and he is described as having broken or decayed front teeth.

He was wearing a navy or black Reebok tracksuit top, matching bottoms, was aged in his thirties and spoke with a local accent.

His accomplice was wearing a dark bomber-style jacket and jeans, as well as a balaclava.

Anyone with information should ring the police on 0345-6060-365 or Crimestoppers on 0800-555-111.