POLICE in County Durham are hunting a masked gang who burst into a village flat and attacked a 21 year-old labourer with baseball bats on Sunday evening.

The victim was struck repeatedly about the body and suffered two fractures to his left arm and extensive bruising to his legs and upper body in the attack, which took place in Shirley Close, Evenwood.

Between 8.30pm and 9pm, four attackers, all wearing balaclavas, climbed stairs to reach the flat which contained four occupants.

One young man was able to escape through a window, and a second youth, in his late teens, hid in the kitchen throughout the assault.

A young woman, a friend of the 21 year-old victim, tried to intervene but was held back by one of the attackers. Although she witnessed the assault and was left shaken, she was not harmed in the incident.

After the attack, the victim was taken to Bishop Auckland General Hospital where he was released after treatment. He returned yesterday for further medical attention.

Detective Constable Shaun Goad of Bishop Auckland CID, said: "This was a vicious and pre-planned attack carried out by intruders who had said little during their time in the flat.

"The motive for what had been an unprovoked assault is unclear at the moment."

After the assault, the gang left the flat in the direction of the bottom of Shirley Close, towards some garages. A vehicle had been heard in the area prior to the gang kicking their way into the flat, but it is unknown if the assailants had a vehicle.

Anyone with any information about the incident is asked to call Bishop Auckland police on (01388) 603566, or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.