A WOMAN was indecently assaulted in daylight while she was walking her dog, police have revealed.

A police spokesman said the attack happened as the 25-year-old was taking her pet for a walk along a footpath next to a former railway line at Shield Row, Stanley, County Durham.

The spokesman said: "A man in his early twenties, riding a BMX-style bike that appeared too small for him, approached the woman and followed her for some distance on his bicycle.

"He then spoke to her and got off the bike before carrying out an indecent assault, after which he rode off in the direction of Tanfield Lea."

The victim was not physically hurt, but left badly shaken by the attack.

Her assailant was described as 5ft 8in or 5ft 9in, wearing baggy blue jeans, a darker coloured baggy jumper, possibly with a hood, trainers and a baseball cap.

A number of people were believed to be using the footpath in the area at the time of the attack, on Sunday, April 3, and police have appealed for them to come forward.

Anyone with information is asked to contact PC Andrew Hartley on 0845 6060365 or 0800 555111.