A MAN was last night being questioned by police after being arrested on suspicion of rape.

Police are appealing for information after a young woman was attacked as she walked home.

The woman, in her 20s, was returning from a friend's house in Wheatley Hill, County Durham, when she was approached by two men wearing baseball caps and face masks.

The attackers grabbed her as she was walking on a footpath next to Wheatley Hill Primary School, which leads from Quilstyle Road to Peterlee Cottages.

As she struggled, she kicked out at one of the men and he ran off. The other assailant pinned the victim to the ground and raped her.

It happened as she was walking home on Monday, between 10pm and 10.30pm.

One of the attackers is described as being about 5ft 4in and of slim build. The other was about 5ft 8in and of medium build.

Two local men, one aged 24 and the other 25, were arrested in relation to the incident and released on bail pending further inquiries.

A third man, aged 24, was still being held at Peterlee Police Station last night.

Detective Inspector Kevin Langan yesterday appealed for witnesses to contact Peterlee CID on 0845 6060365, or Crimestoppers on 0800555111.