POLICE yesterday released an e-fit of the man who terrorised a young Iranian family at knifepoint.

The robber was one of a gang of three who held up an Iranian man, his pregnant wife and young child in Redcar on Friday night. The gang ran off with a small amount of cash.

Police said the family, who cannot speak English and are not thought to have been in England long, were unharmed. It is not thought the attack was racially-motivated.

Detective sergeant Paul Rich-ardson said he understood the family were coping with the trauma.

He said: "It's difficult to know how they're coping because they don't speak English. We've had an interpreter with them to get some information.

"They were not physically injured but it must have been a traumatic experience. You can only imagine what it must be like to be in a strange country with your pregnant wife and small child and something like this to happen. I don't know what their personal circumstances are but it is fair to say they were shocked.

"We are making a big effort into catching the people who are responsible and believe we can catch the culprits.

"We are making inquiries and have already had a number of media appeals. Now we hope the efit might just bring us a name. We want anyone who knows anything to come forward and help us bring these people to book."

The attack occurred at about 8.15pm as the family walked along Queen Street, near the Dental Care Centre.

The robber whose e-fit image has been released is described as white, aged in his mid-20s, 6ft and very spotty. He wore a white tracksuit and blue baseball cap.

The second man is thought to be Asian or of Middle Eastern origin and in his 20s. He had dark hair and was about 5ft 7in. The third man is white, about 20, stocky, 5ft 4in and had short brown hair.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Redcar police on (01642) 302626.