DETECTIVES hunting the men who attacked a woman in Darlington are hoping to trace an old friend of the victim.

The pair grabbed the 21-year-old and dragged her to the ground. One pinned her down while the other raped her.

Neither man said a word, but they laughed as they carried out the attack.

The woman spent Friday night with friends in the town centre and left Club 2K, in Beaumont Street, at 2am to walk home alone.

She spoke to people outside the club, before leaving.

Detective Chief Inspector Ian McDonald, of Darlington CID, said she then met an old school friend she had not seen for 13 years.

The pair went to school together in Northumberland, but lost touch and, as they walked from the town clock towards North Road, passing under a subway, they reminisced about old times.

At Gladstone Street, the man left and headed towards North Lodge Park to go home, leaving his jacket to keep her warm.

From there, the victim walked down North Road and turned into Askrigg Street, where she was attacked.

Police believe that this man can help them piece together information about the times at which events took place and help them examine closed-circuit television camera footage more closely.

Det Chief Insp McDonald said: "He will have important information on the state of mind of the victim, and we are also trying to piece together the timeline of events."

Officers will start distributing leaflets around the town today in an effort to get more people to come forward with information.

It is believed the rape happened after 3am and the victim wandered the streets in distress until a milkman found her at about 4.30am.

The rapist is believed to be in his late 20s or early 30s, with mousy, shaven hair, sideburns and a chubby face, with a cut on his right cheek.

An incident line has been set up on (01325) 742120, or people with information can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.