POLICE have launched a murder hunt after a teenager died following an apparently unprovoked attack at the weekend.

Paul Smith, 18, was punched in the face and knocked to the ground by two youths as he left the Catholic Club in Dunhelm Road, Thornley, near Peterlee, County Durham.

Paul, a keen footballer and Sunderland fan, had been out with his brother Stephen, 23, and an uncle, Andrew Latham, when they were confronted by two youths at 11.30pm on Saturday.

Detective Superintendent Tom Ryan, who is leading the investigation, said: "Suddenly, without warning, one of the youths punched Stephen around the head, knocking his glasses off.

"Paul tried to intervene, but was struck himself and fell to the ground. While his brother attended to him, the youths ran off."

When paramedics arrived, Paul was unconscious and not breathing. Despite efforts to revive him, he was declared dead at the scene.

Stephen suffered facial injuries and was last night recovering in Hartlepool General Hospital with a suspected fractured jaw.

Pathologist James Sunter determined that Paul had died of injuries consistent with a blow to the head.

The attack happened only a short walk from his home in Thornlaw North, where he lived with his brother, mother and stepfather.

Det Supt Ryan said Paul had earlier in the day attended the wedding of another uncle in Peterlee. He had returned to babysit for an aunt in Thornley.

He had recently completed his exams at St Bede's Comprehensive and planned to study engineering at Peterlee College this term.

Det Supt Ryan said: "Our inquiries so far do not suggest Paul, his brother or uncle were involved in any trouble at the club."

One of the youths is described as 16 to 18 years old, with short dark hair and dark clothing.

The second was of a similar age, 5ft 5in to 5ft 8in, with bleached blonde hair and wearing a white or cream-coloured tracksuit with a dark motif or logo on the top.

Anyone with information should phone 0191-586 2621.

Last night his mother Anne, a care home worker, was being comforted at the family home. A neighbour said: "Paul was a lovely lad and his life has been taken away from him."