POLICE in Cheltenham are appealing for witnesses to an attempted sexual assault in the early hours of Sunday, August 31.

The incident happened in Queen's Road at around 2.30am.

A woman in her 20s was attacked by a man who punched her and then tried to sexually assault her.

The woman managed to break free of the offender and raise the alarm.

The man is described as white, in his late 30s or early 40s, 5ft 8ins - 5ft 9ins tall, of slim build, bald and wearing a pale blue cotton shirt and dark trousers.

Detective Constable Faye Satchwell-Bennett said: "This was an unprovoked attack that left the victim extremely distressed and with some physical injuries.

"Obviously stranger attacks like this are very uncommon so it is concerning.

"I can reassure the community we are doing everything we can to trace the man responsible but in the meantime we need the public's help.

"The area is well lit and residential so we're hoping someone may have seen something.

"If you recognise the man's description or have any information that could be linked to this incident please call us straight away on 101, quoting incident 68 of August 31.

"We don't want to cause alarm to people in the area but as we would always advise, please do read the personal safety advice at www.gloucestershire.police.uk."