Two asylum-seeking brothers were seriously injured after confronting a gang of 10 youths who were throwing snowballs at their home, police said today.

The brothers, in their early 30s, had come out of the house in Bedlington, Northumberland, to chase the group off when they were assaulted and threatened with a bottle and a knife.

A car driver stopped when he saw the incident - but instead of helping the men, who were on the floor, he punched one of them in the face.

A spokeswoman for Cleveland Police said: ''Two brothers suffered serious injuries after confronting a gang who were throwing snowballs at their home.''

''The men, who are in their early 30s, and currently seeking asylum in Britain were in their home at about 8.30pm on Saturday.

''After a while the brothers went out and moved the group on to Earls Court Road. In this road the men were assaulted by some of the group.

''Both men were threatened with a knife and a bottle. One was wounded to his chest and the other suffered injuries to his back and left arm.

''The attack was continued by the driver of a Volvo or Ford car which stopped near one of the brothers. The driver of this vehicle got out, approached one of the men who was on the ground at the time, and punched him.''

Both men remain in a stable condition at Middlesbrough General where they were treated for their injuries.

Det Sgt Gary Fernandes, of Middlesbrough CID, said: ''This was a violent attack on two men which was apparently initiated by no more than a nuisance snowball attack.''