A WOMAN has been left bruised and badly shaken after being indecently assaulted as she walked in woods.

The teatime attack was close to the spot where three teenagers and a pregnant woman were indecently assaulted in separate daylight attacks last month, although police say there is nothing to connect the incidents at this stage.

The latest assault was at about 5pm on Thursday as the woman, who is in her 20s, was walking to her boyfriend's home.

As she passed through a wooded area of a pathway close to the A693 road, leading to Sandhole Workingmen's Club at New Kyo, near Stanley, County Durham, she was confronted by a man who jumped out of bushes.

The attacker was in his early 30s and had a mongrel dog on a lead.

As the woman tried to get past him, he indecently assaulted her. However, she managed to break free and run off.

The attacker was about 5ft 7in, with bright ginger hair, cut in a short but messy style, with a rash or acne on the right side of his face.

He was wearing a black Puffa-style jacket and dark jeans.

PC Eric Coulson appealed to anyone who recognised the description to contact the police.

He said: "The spot where the assault took place is a wooded area away from the road and it is unlikely there were any witnesses."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Stanley police on 0845 6060 365 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.