POLICE have issued a fresh appeal for help in catching burglars who sprayed liquid in a householder's face when they broke into his home.

The 53-year-old man and his wife were confronted by two men who burst through the door of their home in Frank Avenue, Seaham, at 1pm, on Friday May 19.

They sprayed the man with a liquid that made his eyes red and sore - although police say he suffered no lasting damage - and demanded to know where the safe was.

After being told there was no safe, they searched the house and took a few hundred pounds, two Nokia mobile phones and several items of jewellery.

The men escaped in a grey or silver car, possibly a Vauxhall Zafira or similar model.

Detectives, who believe they may have targeted the wrong address, have issued more detailed descriptions of the robbers and an e-fit photograph of one of them.

A Durham police spokesman said: "Although the exact nature of the liquid is not known, the important thing is that the victim was left with no permanent damage.

"It must have been a terrifying incident, but thankfully this sort of thing is very rare.

"A number of lines of inquiry have been pursued and any fresh line will be followed up. We are hoping that the e-fit photograph may trigger somebody to ring in who hasn't done so already.

"Even though it is three months down the line, the investigation is still active and we are keen to hear from anyone with information.''

Both men had local accents and one was about 5ft 6in, stocky and wearing a black ski mask, a beige long-sleeved track suit, which had two dark brown stripes running down each sleeve and each leg, and brown trainers.

His accomplice - featured in the e-fit - was about 30, between 5ft 10in and 6ft, and of athletic build. He had short-cropped black hair and was wearing a black long-sleeved sweater, black trousers and black shoes.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0845 60 60 365 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.