A MOTHER and daughter were involved in a pub attack on an eastern European woman, a court heard.

Racist remarks were aimed at the woman during the unprovoked incident, at the Pack Horse, in Tanfield, near Stanley.

The 30-year-old Slovakian was at the pub with her husband one Sunday evening in July last year.

Durham Crown Court heard that 19-year-old Emma Glease grabbed her hair, and the victim ended on the floor, with blood coming from her face.

The victim's husband tried to free her from Glease, whose mother, Paula Dunn, 40, approached, shouting: "Foreigners.".

The 50-year-old man pushed Dunn away to prevent her reaching his wife, who was also slapped across the face by Glease.

Roger Moore, prosecuting, said other drinkers tried to restrain the women, who were still shouting abuse.

The couple left, pursued by the women, one of whom appeared to throw a glass in their direction.

Mr Moore said that when police came, Dunn and Glease said they had been attacked and that, initially, everyone was arrested.

Dunn, of Palm Terrace, Tantobie, near Stanley, and Glease, of Fonteyn Place, South Stanley, both admitted causing an affray.

Stephen Duffield, for Glease, said: "For whatever reason, and because of her drunken state, she really could not say why she got into an argument with this woman.

"As is often the case when someone is being abused, personal characteristics come into the abuse, but this was not the reason for the attack. It was simply a way of abusing her. But, she accepts she was the aggressor."

Julian Smith, for Dunn, said: "She responded in a way she regrets. She was clearly very drunk."

Mr Smith said Dunn was struck in the face during the incident, suffering a bloody nose, which had to be realigned.

Recorder Ian Atherton told Dunn and Glease: "This was an unpleasant, unprovoked attack on a lady who happens not to come from this country.

"From what I have heard of the language used, it was that difference that provoked the attack. You should know better."

He gave each of them a 12-month supervision order and told each carry out 120 hours of unpaid work and pay £100 costs