TWO brothers were beaten and kicked by a gang as they walked home in what police say was a vicious and unprovoked attack.

A group of men, thought to be in their late teens or early 20s, struck one victim, aged 41, on the head from behind.

He fell to the ground unconscious and, as his 44-year-old brother went to his aid, he too was punched and kicked repeatedly.

The incident happened as the brothers, who work in construction, were walking along the top of Jane Street in South Moor, Stanley, County Dur-ham, at 11.30pm on Friday.

Their attackers ran off when one brother shouted to a resident in the street, who saw part of the incident.

The brothers were treated at the University Hospital in North Durham. The 41-year-old suffered a broken bone in his neck, a cut to the back of his head and extensive bruising and swelling to his face.

The 44-year-old had a 3in wound to the back of his head, which had to be stapled, and he was left with severe bruising to his upper body.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0845 6060 365 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.