A man was assaulted in a motiveless attack when he opened his front door to a stranger.

The attacker forced his way into the house in the Garden Crescent area of Swalwell, Gateshead, at 7.15pm on Thursday.

The victim was treated in hospital for lacerations to his head, hands and arms. His attacker was described as 6ft, of athletic build, with a dark moustache. He was wearing a beige jacket, with the hood covering his head, and drove off in a dark-coloured car.