An off-duty police officer was attacked by two men who were tring to break into his neighbour's Teesside home.

The policeman was at home, in Stockton, watching The Bill on television when he heard breaking glass and went to investigate.

He was hit by one man wielding a hammer and kicked in the head by a second man as he struggled.

As the two drove off in a red Mini Metro, the officer punched through a window in a bid to stop the car.

Cleveland Police have appealed for help in tracing the two attackers.

The officer has returned to work after attending hospital for cuts and bruises but will need more treatment.