A teenage girl has told of her terror at being mugged in broad daylight.

Factory worker Rachel Watson was robbed by two masked men for just 22p.

After the attack the girl was so traumatised she was physically sick, although she was not physically hurt.

Miss Watson, 17, said she did not see the robbers until she felt hands round her neck as she walked home in Leadgate, near Consett, on Monday.

She said: "I'd just left the main street when I felt these hands. I wanted to scream, but no sound would come. Then I tried to get away, but they just strangled me more. The whole thing only lasted about 90 seconds, but it was really terrible."

One of the attackers was about 5ft 6in and wore a black padded bomber jacket with a black woollen hood. The other was slightly smaller and wore a blue jacket, with white strips.

Anyone with any information is asked to call (01207) 504204