A POLICE investigation is under way after a woman was subjected to a sex attack that lasted for about three hours.

The woman was grabbed by the throat and thrown into bushes as she walked through a well-known beauty spot in Harrogate in the early hours of yesterday.

Her ageing attacker then tried to walk her back into the town centre - but the terrified woman ran off and raised the alarm.

The victim, who is in her mid-40s, was walking home in the Valley Gardens area at about 3am. The man grabbed her from behind, put his hand round her throat and dragged her into the bushes.

He subjected her to a serious sexual assault and held her there for up to three hours.

As he walked her back to the town, the woman escaped and dashed into a local taxi office where the alarm was raised.

The attacker was last seen running off towards the Cheltenham Mount area.

"This was a terrifying attack and we have launched a major investigation," said Detective Inspector Pat Twiggs.

"We believe it was an isolated incident and we have had no other attacks of this nature, but we would urge people to take all the sensible precautions."

The man was between 55 and 60, with grey, collar-length hair and a bushy grey moustache. He wore a grey short-sleeved shirt with a square design on it, grey cotton jean-style trousers and black slip-on shoes.

He was about 5ft 10in and had an athletic build.

His blonde victim was wearing white jeans and a denim waistcoat.

Police would like to speak to anyone who may have seen either the victim or attacker in between 2am and 6am, or the attacker as he ran from the scene.

Anyone who can help is asked to contact a witness line on (01423) 539334, Harrogate police on (01423) 505541, or Crimestoppers