A YOUNG woman was brutally raped in a North-East town at the weekend as she walked home alone after a night out with friends.

While one man forced the terrified 21-year-old to have sex, another calmly pinned her to the ground and watched.

After her ordeal, which happened in Darlington in the early hours of Saturday morning, she wandered the streets in a "deeply shocked and distressed" state.

Police last night urged the public to come forward with information on the two men - who carried out the co-ordinated attack in silence - before they strike again.

The woman had been out in Darlington town centre on Friday night, drinking and socialising with friends, and the group ended up at Club 2K in Beaumont Street.

She left at 2am on Saturday to make her one-mile journey home alone.

Outside, she talked to friends before heading down North Road. She then turned into Askrigg Street, where the pair grabbed her some time after 3am.

Afterwards, she tried to find her way to a friend's home, heading further down North Road, and was discovered in a disorientated state by a milkman, who took her home, at about 4.30am.

Police say the woman remains deeply shocked, but has been able to give a good description of her attacker.

He is believed to be in his late 20s, or early 30s, of average height and build, and was clean shaven.

His mousy coloured hair was shaven to grade one or grade two length. He also had sideburns and a "chubby" face.

Below his right eye was a distinctive scar or a cut, with white marks across it, suggesting he had either had stitches or medical strips had been used to keep the wound closed.

He smelled strongly of alcohol and was wearing dark trousers and a long-sleeved shirt.

His accomplice was of a similar height and build, and was also wearing a long-sleeved shirt.

Detective Sergeant Kevin Weir, of Darlington CID, said: "This was a particularly nasty attack which, not surprisingly, has left the victim badly distressed.

"I'm hoping someone will perhaps recognise at least one of the men from these descriptions, and I would urge them to come forward if they do."

Detectives also want help tracing the victim's movements between the time she left Club 2K and when she was raped. She is described as a brunette, wearing all dark clothing, including a black t-shirt.

The scene of the attack is only yards from the alleyway in which the body of 23-year-old Justina Harrison, of Darlington, was found in 1999. She died in hospital eight days later. John Rowland, of Haughton Road, then aged 18, was convicted in October that year of her murder.

An incident line has been set up at Darlington police station on (01325) 742120, or people with information can anonymously telephone Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.