A SCHOOLBOY is recovering in hospital after he was attacked by a gang of teenagers.

The 13-year-old boy was a few hundred metres from his Bishop Auckland home when was set upon in an unprovoked assault.

He was walking with friends through Cockton Hill towards the town centre at 7.15pm on Tuesday. As they approached the junction with Westfield Road, they were confronted by the seven boys and girls, who they did not recognise.

The youngster was pushed over a garden wall by one boy before being punched in the face by another.

The blow smashed his glasses and part of the frame or lens went into his eye. He was taken to Bishop Auckland General Hospital before being transferred to Darlington Memorial Hospital for surgery.

The extent of the damage is not expected to be known until today.

Detective Sergeant Mark Willoughby said: "As nothing seems to have been stolen we assume robbery was not the motive.

"It appears to a completely random, unprovoked attack which may have cause long-term damage to the victim's eye."

The youth who threw the punch was wearing a light blue top and a baseball cap, thought to be Burberry style.

Anyone with information is asked to call (01388) 603566 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.