POLICE are anxious to trace two girls who stopped to help a man who was assaulted twice on the same day.

The first incident happened at about 11.30pm on Friday, when 24-year-old Kevin McKay, from Berwick Hills, in Middlesbrough, was walking along Ormesby Road, Berwick Hills.

A group of six youths aged about 18 chased him to Crossfell Medical Centre, where one of them hit him from behind and knocked him unconscious.

The gang then rifled through his pockets and stole cash and personal items, before running off.

Seeing Mr McKay lying on the ground, two girls stopped to ask if he was all right. He got up and walked across Morrisons car park, where he was chased by another group of youths who also assaulted him as headed towards a hostel in Penrith Road.

The youths are described as white males, aged between 17 and 18.

PC Tracey Walker said: "We are particularly keen for the two young girls who stopped to ask Kevin if he was okay to contact us.

"They might hold vital information that could assist us with the arrest of those responsible for these cowardly attacks on a man on his own."

Witnesses should contact PC Walker on (01642) 303126.