A YOUNG woman has been sexually assaulted while walking home from a North-East nightclub.

The 19-year-old was attacked minutes after leaving the Studio nightclub, on North Road, in Durham City, in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

The incident happened at the bottom of an alley known locally as Windy Gap, at about 12.50am.

The woman walked across Framwelgate Bridge and past the Bella Italia restaurant.

But as she went down some steps to the riverside, she was approached by a man in his 30s with shaved, dark hair.

He spoke briefly to her, before sexually assaulting her.

The woman’s ordeal was brief, as the man, described as about six feet tall and skinny, broke off his attack and ran off.

Police believe he may have been disturbed by the sound of someone else nearby.

The woman was left distraught, with bruises and scratches to her face and body.

Detectives are appealing for anyone who was in the area at the time or anyone who heard anything suspicious to contact them.

Anyone who can help the Durham Constabulary investigation is asked to call Durham CID on 0345-60-60-365 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800-555-111.