A SEX attacker followed a woman and assaulted her as she walked home alone in Tyldesley.

The 27-year-old victim was sexually assaulted by a man near a block of flats off Common Lane between 6pm and 6.20pm yesterday.

She spotted the man, who was walking behind her, before he sexually assaulted her and ran off towards Common Lane.

The suspect is white, aged 20 to 25, 5ft 6in to 5ft 8in tall, and slim.

He was wearing a black wool hat with a white print on the front, a dark waist-length zip-up jacket, light trousers and spoke with a local accent.

Det Insp Paul Rollinson, said: “This woman was sexually assaulted just a few yards from her car.

"The man waited for her to walk past, grabbed her and sexually assaulted her.

“This woman was extremely shaken by what happened to her and reported the incident to police straightaway.

“I want to hear from anyone who either saw or heard anything that night or who recognises the man from the description.”

People with information about the attacker can call police on 0161 8567225.