A NIGHT out with friends ended in terror for a woman who had to force her front door shut on an intruder trying to push his way into her home.

As she battled to shut her front door her attacker grabbed her right arm through the gap in the doorway, then slashed at her with an unknown object as she pulled her arm free.

The 45-year-old victim received numerous scratch marks on her right arm and was treated at the University Hospital of North Tees.

The woman had been dropped off by a taxi near her home in Cowpen Crescent in Hardwick, Stockton, after an evening out with friends, last Friday.

As she walked the short distance home along a cycle track leading to the Salters Lane Estate, bordering Hardwick Dene, she passed a group of six youths, believed to be in their late teens, and all wearing sports clothing.

She reached home, opened the front door of her house and was attempting to close the door it after her when she was attacked.

A Cleveland Police spokeswoman said: "As she went to close the door behind her she noticed one of the lads stood directly outside her house pushing on the door.

"The woman tried to close the door but he grabbed her right arm through the open doorway.

"As the woman managed to release his grip on her arm he then reached through the open doorway and began slashing at her arm with an unknown object.

"After a brief struggle the woman was able to close her door and the lad rejoined the group and they all ran off towards Salters Lane on the cycle track.'' Her attacker is white with fair complexion, about 18-years-old, 5ft 4ins tall and of medium build. He was wearing a dark blue hooded top with dark coloured track suit bottoms and trainers.

Anyone with information about the incident should contact Acting Detective Sergeant Jon Tapper at Stockton CID on 01642-302233 or 302226 or alternatively call Crimestoppers on 0800-555111.