POLICE are appealing for help from villagers after a 13-year-old girl was indecently assaulted.

The teenager, from Heighington, near Darlington, was unhurt, but left traumatised by the attack.

It happened as she walked home along Millbank, in the village, at about 8.30pm on Saturday, April 30.

PC Julian Brown, who is investigating the incident, said he could not remember an attack of this nature in Heighington in his eight years as the village's beat officer.

"This was a very frightening thing to happen to a 13-year-old girl and we are looking for witnesses. I have already carried out door-to-door inquiries," he said.

The assailant is described as white, aged 17 or 18, slim, with short spiky ginger hair. He was described as having a long skinny face with prominent cheek bones. He was wearing a black hooded jacket and dark blue jeans.

Anyone with information is asked to contact PC Brown, at Cockerton police station, on 0845-606 0365.