A 19-YEAR-OLD woman managed to fight off an attacker who tried to drag her into an alley in the early hours of the morning.

The teenager was walking along Raby Road, in Hartlepool, shortly after midnight on New Year's Day when she was approached by a man.

He asked if he could walk with her and continued following her when she refused.

He continually made lewd suggestions as they walked past the town's cemetery.

Eventually, he tried to drag her into an alleyway.

However, the woman managed to break free of his grip and ran to a nearby house for help and to raise the alarm.

Police are looking for a 5ft 6in man in his early 20s. He was of medium build with short, mousy, blond hair with a fringe.

He wore a white top with stripes, blue jeans and cream shoes.

He was last seen running towards Chester Road.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact PC Russell Robson on (01642) 302126.