POLICE investigating the rape of a young woman have renewed their appeal for witnesses.

The woman in her 20s was returning home from a friend's house in Wheatley Hill, County Durham, on Monday, between 10pm and 10.30pm when she was approached by two men wearing baseball caps and face masks.

As she walked on a footpath near Wheatley Hill Primary School, which leads from Quiltstyle Road to Peterlee Cottages, the men grabbed her. The victim struggled to try and free herself, kicking out at one of the attackers who ran off.

The other assailant pinned the victim to the ground and raped her. After the assault the woman made her way home.

One of the attackers is described as 5ft 4in, and of slim build, while the other is about 5ft 8in and of medium build.

Three men in their mid-20s have been helping police with inquiries into the incident and have been released on bail.

Detective Inspector Kevin Langan urged anyone with information about the incident to come forward.

"We would like to hear from anyone who was in the vicinity of Quilstyle Road between 10pm and 11pm on Monday and saw anything that might help us with ourinquiries,'' he said.

Peterlee CID can be contracted on 0845 606 0365.