RAIDERS who sprayed a harmful liquid in a householder's face, before threatening and robbing him, may have targeted the wrong address, police believe.

Two men burst in through the door of the house, in Seaham, and sprayed a noxious liquid in the face of the 53-year-old homeowner, causing his eyes to become red and sore.

The men threatened the man and his wife, who is also in her 50s, in their living room and demanded to know where the safe was.

However, there was no safe in the house, and police believe the intruders had targeted the wrong address.

The pair then made what police say was "an untidy search" of the house before making off with a few hundred pounds in cash, two Nokia mobile phones and several items of jewellery.

The incident happened at about 1pm last Friday in Frank Avenue, in a part of the town known locally as the Mission estate.

The robbers escaped in a grey or silver car, possibly a Vauxhall Zafira or similar model.

The first intruder is described as 5ft 10in to 6ft, with dark, very short cropped hair. He was wearing a black or blue wool jumper and black trousers.

His accomplice was a few inches shorter, wearing a black ski mask and a beige tracksuit with brown stripes down the arms and legs.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Seaham police on 0845 6060365 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.