WITNESSES have been urged to come forward with information about an alleged incident with racial overtones in which a couple were threatened with a knife.

Police are hunting a young cyclist who pushed a 24-year-old female pedestrian to the ground as she walked through a churchyard with her male companion and a five-year-old child.

As the man came to her aid, the cyclist verbally abused them and produced a large knife from his coat, threatening the couple.

The cyclist then made off across a footbridge, leading over the A690 in Church Street, Houghton-le-Spring, on Wearside.

Police said the woman suffered slight injuries on falling to the ground. The couple and the child are said to be of Angolan origin.

The incident took place near steps leading up to the grounds of St Michael and All Angels Parish Church, in Houghton-le-Spring, on Monday at about 11pm.

The cyclist is described as white, 5ft 8in, aged 20 to 21, of medium build, with short dark hair, shaved at the sides, and longer on top.

He was wearing a waist-length black sports top, white track suit bottoms, white training shoes and was carrying a container from a takeaway food shop.

Following the incident he made off in the direction of the New Town area of Houghton.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the crime desk at Washington police station, on 0191-454 7555, extension 66459.