A journalist is facing surgery after suffering serious facial injuries in a city centre assault in which her handbag was stolen.

Christine Harle, (50), a sub-editor with The Journal, suffered a “vicious and unprovoked” assault in Newcastle after leaving work yesterday at 1.20am.

She managed to struggle to her car and lock herself in, but spent more than an hour drifting in and out of consciousness before being able call for help.

She was last night “stable” in hospital.

Journal editor Brian Aitken said: “This was a nasty, unprovoked and violent attack.

“Christine is a superb professional who is well-liked by colleagues and we look forward to the day when she is fit to return.

“Journalists are used to dealing with crimes of all sorts as part of their daily job.

“But when something like this happens to one of your own, then you appreciate the whole range of emotions that family, friends and colleagues of victims are put through.

“We desperately hope the attacker can be caught quickly and brought to justice and I would urge anyone who has any relevant information to come forward.”

Det Insp Lee Buzzeo said: “This was an horrific and vicious attack which was completely unprovoked and particularly violent.

“Her attacker seems to have been hell-bent on inflicting injury before taking her bag.”

Christine, who has been at the paper for 20 years, eventually managed to contact Journal colleague George Macintyre for help on her mobile phone.

He said: “I got the call at about 2.50am and initially thought it was a wrong number. But after about 20 minutes I managed to hear her voice very faintly and I could only make out a few words.

“Her injuries were so bad I couldn’t recognise her, but her spirits are high. She is obviously deeply upset and will be in hospital for at least a week.”