A FATHER and his son needed hospital treatment after they were beaten with golf clubs in a County Durham village.

Police believe taxi drivers driving in the Bishop Auckland area may have seen the attack in the early hours on Saturday morning and may have vital information.

The attack happened in McCullagh Gardens, South Church, near Bishop Auckland, after the father, in his late 40s, had collected his son, in his early 20s, after a night out in Bishop Auckland.

The pair were attacked by two men armed with golf clubs at about 1.20am and were left with head injuries that needed hospital treatment.

Their car, a Citroen Picasso, was extensively damaged and had all of the windows smashed.

Two men, one in his 20s and the other middle-aged were arrested and questioned about the attack before being released on police bail pending further inquiries.

Acting Detective Sergeant Joanne Wright said investigators had established the younger of the two victims had been involved in an altercation while out in Bishop Auckland earlier in the evening.

She said: "We believe that trouble in the town may have played a part in that later confrontation in South Church.''

Acting Det Sgt Wright said officers believe taxi drivers would have been using the same route taken by the father and son and may have witnessed the attack.

She said: "We'd like to speak to the drivers and anyone else who may have seen what took place.''

Witnesses are asked to call Bishop Auckland Police on 0845 60 60 365 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.