HUNDREDS of men are to be given DNA tests in the continuing search for the sex fiend who carried out a degrading attack on a helpless pensioner.

The move follows the recovery of DNA traces at the 87-year-old victim's home in Seaham, east Durham, by investigators.

The operation will concentrate on Seaham's Westlea estate, where the attack took place two weeks ago, and will focus on a specific age group in the male population.

Men will be invited to provide a sample to eliminate them from the inquiry.

Saliva swabs will be taken from the people in their homes and then sent to the forensic science service, where they will be compared with DNA found at the scene.

Detective Chief Inspector Brian Tait, the head of Easington CID, said yesterday: "The screening service will serve to eliminate those who are singled out and take us a major step nearer finding the person responsible.

"Everyone who takes part will do so as a volunteer, but we would certainly look closely at the reasons offered by any individual who refused to help."

The victim was woken at about 5am in the bedroom of her Windermere Road home to find a masked man armed with a knife.

She was then subjected to an indecent assault. The incident has been linked to a similar attack in nearby Watling Avenue on January 25.

On that occasion, a woman in her 70s was subjected to a prolonged indecent assault by a man dressed in black.

Inquiries at each of the 600 houses on the estate are complete, and the incident room at Seaham police station remains open.

The man being hunted is described as thin and about six feet. He was wearing a dark mask, dark, hooded top and slightly lighter coloured trousers.

Anyone with any information is asked to call police on 0191-586 2621.