Police are appealing for information after a pregnant woman was pinned against a wall and punched in the stomach by a couple demanding cash.

The pair made off after discovering the woman’s purse did not contain any money, Durham police said.

The force said the woman was followed after she got off a bus in New Brancepeth, County Durham, on Tuesday night.

She was approached by the two suspects, who spoke with local accents, as she walked home, before being involved in a “struggle” on the nearby Prospect Terrace at about 8.40pm.

A spokesman said the woman was also struck multiple times in the stomach and head. She was taken to the University Hospital of North Durham and has since between discharged.

DS Mark Garfoot said: “This was a traumatic incident for the woman and we would like to ask the public to help us catch the people responsible”.

The male suspect is slim, about 6ft 3ins and was wearing a baseball cap, Helly Hansen jacket, black tracksuit bottoms and dark footwear.

The female suspect is about 5ft, in her late 20s with bleach-blond hair. She was wearing a black padded coat with a fur hood, white jeans and black Ugg boots, the force said.