Two cleaners bashed in NSW home

Two young women have been savagely beaten while cleaning a home north of Newcastle.

Both 21-year-olds are in John Hunter Hospital with serious facial and head injuries after being confronted and bashed by a man while cleaning an empty Port Stephens home on Wednesday afternoon, police say.

The assailant knocked one of the women out and tied the other up before fleeing.

Emergency services were called by the woman when she regained consciousness.

The attacker is described as being in his late 20's, muscular and tanned, and with short dark hair.