Teenaged twin brothers have been charged with attempting to murder their stepfather and violent offences against their mother and sister, police said.

Cleveland Police said the two 15-year-olds faced the attempted murder charge in relation to their 41-year-old stepfather, as well as charges of assaulting their 36-year-old mother, causing her grievous bodily harm, and wounding their 18-year-old sister.

One of the boys also faced a further charge of assaulting a police officer.

The charges followed an incident in Windsor Street, Hartlepool, and officers wanted to hear from anyone who heard a commotion late on Wednesday night and into the early hours of yesterday, said a Cleveland Police spokesman.

''Police inquiries are continuing into these alleged attacks and we are appealing to anyone living in and around Windsor Street who may have heard screaming and shouting to come forward,'' he said.

The stepfather was currently in the James Cook Memorial Hospital, in Middlesbrough, with serious head injuries, he added.

The twins' sister was due to undergo surgery for a knife wound to her hand.

The mother was released from Hartlepool General Hospital after treatment for cuts and bruising.

The twins were due to appear before magistrates in Hartlepool.