DETECTIVES are hunting a sex attacker who grabbed a woman on a path and indecently assaulted her.

The 25-year-old victim was approached by a man who appeared to be drunk as she walked near the railway line between Arnold Road and Haughton Road, in Darlington, on Saturday.

The man tried to engage her in conversation before pushing her against a wall and assaulting her.

She was left with minor injuries to her cheek but was said by detectives investigating the attack to be very upset.

Inspector Brian Maudling, from Darlington police, said: "The assault was not on the upper scale of seriousness but it's bad enough the fact that he used physical violence first.

"She thinks he was drunk. It looks as though she's lashed out and he's walked off. She contacted us straight away."

Yesterday, officers gathered forensic evidence and examined closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage of the area.

But Insp Maudling said the public's help was needed to find the culprit.

"The assault took place between 4.45pm and 4.55pm. We really need anyone who was in the vicinity of Arnold Road at that time to come forward," he said.

"I think the man has had a bit of a kick from the victim. He may have had a bit of a limp or got home out of breath. We want people to cast their minds back to Saturday and contact us with any suspicions they have."

Detectives have created an e-fit of the assailant and issued a description. The man was white, in his late 30s, about 5ft 7in and stocky, with chubby cheeks and mousy brown hair, parted to the left.

He had a small moustache, prominent ears, flat nose, pale complexion and a dimpled chin.

He was wearing a grey bomber jacket with a black band on the left arm, blue jeans and black trainers.

Detectives are still hunting a rapist who attacked a girl in Oaklands Terrace, Darlington, on November 22.

Anyone with information on either crime is asked to call police on (01325) 467681.