POLICE are hunting thugs who launched an "unprovoked and cowardly" attack on a woman as she walked home.

The 38-year-old woman was pushed to the ground and kicked several times as she walked to her home on the Low Mown Meadows Estate, in Crook, after finishing work.

Her two attackers knocked her on to some steps at Pine Tree Gardens then laughed, before running off along Louvain Terrace, at 10pm on Wednesday.

Their victim was left with injuries to her back, face and arm.

Sergeant Mark Willoughby, of Crook police, said: "This was a completely unprovoked and cowardly attack upon a defenceless woman for apparently no reason. Apart from the injuries that have been sustained, the incident has left this lady upset and distressed."

The attackers were both about 17 and 5ft 10in.

One was very thin and wore a black woollen hat with a motif on the front and a light track-suit top. The other wore a cream cap.

Anyone who thinks they might know the identity of the two youths, or witnessed the incident, is asked to telephone Crook police on (01388) 762011.