A 12-YEAR-OLD girl was rushed to hospital after a thug hurled a stone at her temporarily blinding her in one eye.

Police have issued an appeal for witnesses following the incident, which happened at Wharton Gardens, Winsford, at around 4.35pm on Saturday.

Police are now hunting for the thug responsible who, they say, could have permanently blinded the girl or left her scarred for life.

They say there appears to be no motive for the attack.

The schoolgirl was taken to Leighton Hospital and suffered “a temporary loss of vision” in her left eye, but fears she could be permanently blinded were allayed by doctors.

A police spokesman said: “She was taken to hospital and initially there was some concern she may have lost the sight in her eye, but the injuries are not as bad as first thought.”

It is understood that the victim was interviewed by detectives on Monday in a bid to establish a description, or the identity, of the offender.

The lead officer in the case, Det Con Gary Weaver, was unavailable for comment when the Chronicle went to press on Tuesday afternoon.

The spokesman added: “The incident is being investigated but no one has yet been charged. If anyone knows who is responsible for this act we want to hear from them.”

Witnesses can call DC Weaver on 0845 4580000, or CrimeStoppers on 0800 555111.