A TEENAGER has been arrested by police investigating an indecent assault on a girl.

The 18-year-old, from Sherburn Village, was questioned and released on police bail until February.

The incident is alleged to have happened on Monday between 8pm and 9pm behind garages next to Sherburn Leisure Centre.

The 16-year-old victim, who lives locally, met her alleged assailant earlier in the evening while she was with two other teenagers.

A Durham Police spokesman said all four went to the area in a silver Ford Transit van.

He said: "The second couple headed off in another direction, after which a serious indecent assault took place behind the garages."

He said that just before the incident two people walked by and may have seen either the victim and her attacker or the van.

"These two people may not have been aware anything untoward was happening, but if they can come forward, their information could prove potentially vital to the detectives who are trying to establish the chain of events that night."

Anyone with information should call Detective Constable Marco Fantin at Chester-le-Street CID on 0845 60 60 365 or ring Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.