POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a stone-throwing attack left a five-year-old boy needing hospital treatment.

Christopher Smith had 11 stitches to his face after the attack, by two older boys, at about 3.30pm on Monday.

He had been playing in the back lane of Warrington Road, in Newcastle's West End, when two boys, aged between ten and 12, threw a stone at his face, then ran off.

Police are asking anyone who witnessed the attack, or knows who carried it out, to contact Newcastle West CID on 0191-454 7555