A 17-YEAR-OLD student was subjected to a sex attack after being knocked unconscious and dragged off busy city street, it emerged last night.

Detectives said dozens of students, who were near the centre of Durham City at the time, could hold vital information.

A police spokesman said the victim had walked from the North Road area on her way to her college on the outskirts of the city late on Thursday night.

Closed-circuit television cameras confirmed the girl, who was wearing a white T-shirt and jeans and white shoes, had walked up New Elvet at 11.25pm. As she approached traffic lights outside Dunelm House, which is the student centre, she was taunted by a group of men.

They were carrying what were believed to be sticks and were engaged in a mock sword fight as she approached.

In the skirmish that followed, the victim was struck on the side of the head and lost consciousness.

When she regained consciousness she was lying on a secluded grass area, where she was pinned down by her assailants and was struck again.

Investigators believe the girl may have been dragged or carried from the street to where the sex attack was carried out.

Detective Chief Inspector Colin Pearson, who is leading the investigation, said last night: "The CCTV has also confirmed that couples had been walking a little way behind the victim, and about that time students were leaving Dunelm House.

"It may be the victim and her assailants were plainly seen by passers-by.

"If the girl was being carried or dragged, the onlookers have wrongly assumed that they were involved in some kind of late-night high jinx."

The victim was described as attractive, slightly built, of medium height, with dark, straight, shoulder-length hair.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 0191-386 4222 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.