POLICE investigating an apparently unprovoked assault at a garage forecourt have appealed for two potential witnesses to come forward.

Detectives hunting the man responsible for the serious attack on a customer at Red Tiles filling station, on the A691 at Kaysburn, near Langley Park, believe that a car driver and his passenger must have had a clear view of the incident, on Saturday, August 12.

A motorist, who was alone, was punched and repeatedly kicked as he returned to his car after refuelling and paying for his petrol.

The victim, who has not been named, was taken to Durham's University Hospital for treatment for head injuries before being transferred to Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary for plastic surgery.

Police have studied closed circuit television footage and spoken to seven potential witnesses, but are still to trace the driver and front seat passenger of a red Vauxhall Corsa using the filling station at the time of the incident, at around 7.30pm.

The driver is believed to be in his 50s, and was wearing a light coloured long-sleeved shirt, with the sleeves rolled up. He was clean shaven, with light coloured or sandy/grey hair, while his female passenger was wearing a red top and white trousers.

Det Insp Simon Orton, of Consett CID, said: "We believe the assault took place in the proximity of this car and the reaction of the driver and passenger suggest they may have witnessed the attack.

"We would urge them to get in touch as quickly as possible," added Det Insp Orton. Investigators would also like to speak to a man believed to have been in the company of the assailant.

He was in his early 20s, clean shaven, of thin build with short dark hair, and wearing a light blue short-sleeved button-up shirt, with button-down collar and black trousers. It is believed that he spoke to the victim shortly before the attack.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Consett Police office on (01207) 504204, or the Crimestoppers' line anonymously on (0800) 555111.