A WOMAN was sexually assaulted by a scruffy middle-aged man as she walked across a field in the early hours of the morning.

The 24-year-old took a route between Boston Avenue and the Runcorn Town Hall grounds when the man struck.

He appeared from a wooded area adjacent to the Town Hall and indecently assaulted her.

She struck out and ran off. Police say she was not physically injured but was obviously distressed by what happened.

The incident occurred between midnight and 1am on Monday, September 10.

The offender is described as white, very thin and aged around 50. He was approximately 5ft 6ins to 5ft 7ins tall with white-grey hair. He was scruffy in appearance and spoke with a local accent.

He was wearing an old-fashioned light grey full tracksuit made of sweatshirt material. It had a full zip up front and elastic around the cuffs and ankles.

Anyone who saw a man fitting this description in the area at the time of the attack is asked to contact Det Con Tim Freeman or Det Con Helen Clegg on 01244-613733.