POLICE are hunting for two men who forced a woman into their car before driving off and subjecting her to a serious sexual assault at the roadside.

A police spokesman said the 25-year-old woman was forced into a grey four-door Ford Fiesta at the McDonald's car park, near to The Galleries, in Washington, at 2pm on Wednesday.

The pair then drove her around the area and eventually took her to an underpass between Westerhope Road and Horsley Road in Barmston, where they attacked her.

Their victim was thrown out of the car and wandered around the area in distress until 6pm.

Anyone who was approached by the woman looking for directions, or who were at the underpass where she was taken by the men, has been asked to contact the police.

Police said, there were two women, possibly a mother and daughter, at a nearby bus stop, as well as a blond 15-year-old boy on a large mountain bike.

The victim, who was severely shocked but otherwise unhurt, was wearing a blue jumper, jeans and training shoes.

One of her attackers was described as about 24, 5ft 6in, stocky, with shaved mousy brown hair. He had dark eyes, a wide nose and wore blue jeans, a black blazer-type leather coat and white V-necked T-shirt and black boots or shoes.

The second attacker was 19 or 20, 5ft 8in, of medium build, with dirty greasy blond hair combed forward. He had blue-green eyes, a pockmarked face, blue jeans, white Adidas trainers and cream Adidas zip-up jacket and cream T-shirt.

Anyone with information has been asked to call the police on 0191-454 7555