A MOTHER has told of her terrifying fight to protect her young son after an intruder broke into her home and attacked the pair as they lay in bed.

The 31-year-old woman, who asked not to be identified, was in bed with her child, when she awoke to find a man in her room.

She screamed and the intruder lashed out at her with a torch, before fleeing. The woman was left with bruising and facial injuries, but her son was shaken but unhurt.

The attack took place in the early hours of last Saturday, at a house in east Stanley, County Durham.

Speaking last night from her mother's house in Stanley, where she has been staying since the assault, the victim told of her ordeal in a bid to help police catch her attacker.

"I am disgusted that somebody could do this to a mother with a child lying beside her," she said.

"I woke up and saw him trying to leave my bedroom on all fours. Without thinking, I screamed and he attacked me by punching me in the face. He hit me again and again before he left.

"My main concern was to protect my son. He was in the bed next to me and was whimpering. He has been very brave and has coped really well."

The intruder is described as thin and wearing dark coloured clothing. Detectives believe he got in the house through the back door.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Stanley police, on (01207) 232144.