POLICE are hunting two sisters who head-butted two elderly pensioners - for sitting on the wrong bar stool.

Sheila Jager and Maureen Rogers, both 68, were assaulted as they ordered a drink at a town centre pub in South Shields, South Tyneside.

The ordeal left both women bloodied and shaken. But for Mrs Rogers it could have been more serious as her doctor considered delaying vital heart surgery she was scheduled to have because of the trauma of the attack.

The pensioners, who both have a history of heart problems, have gone out every Saturday since Mrs Rogers' husband died four years ago.

Last weekend, the women were determined to enjoy their night before her heart operation. But minutes after walking into the pub the pensioners were attacked by two women.

Mrs Rogers was ordering drinks in Hanlons Well pub when she was told by a woman, aged between 35 and 40, to get off a stool as it was being used by her sister.

Mrs Rogers said she was tired and promised to leave when her drinks were served, but the woman and her sister assaulted the pensioners.

"I turned to hand Maureen her drink and saw a head flashing past and hit her on the nose," said Mrs Jager.

"I got such a fright and turned around to see who it was, but then I felt a hand on the back of my hair and I was turned around and headbutted twice, on my forehead and cheekbone," she said.

"These women should be ashamed of themselves."