A WOMAN was robbed and broke her hand in a dispute outside a village pub.

The incident happened close to the Lord Nelson pub in Spa Road, Gainford, shortly after midnight on Friday.

The 44-year-old woman, who lives locally, had left the pub with members of her family when an argument broke out between her party and another group.

The victim was pushed to the ground by a woman and threatened by a man, thought to be the boyfriend or partner of her attacker.

The victim broke her left hand as she fell and received bruises and scratches to her neck as the man grabbed and stole a nine carat gold necklace she was wearing.

The man is described as being in his late 20s, 5ft 4in tall, clean-shaven, wearing a T-shirt and jeans.

The woman was slightly taller of roughly the same age and build. She had blonde hair, tied at the back, was wearing three-quarter length jogging bottoms and a light-coloured T-shirt.

Anyone with any details is asked to call Bishop Auckland CID on 0845 60 60 365.