A TERRIFED woman who chased off a flasher by spraying him in the face with de-icer says she was convinced he would attack her.

The unsuspecting woman was de-icing her car close to her home in Plodder Lane, Farnworth, on Monday morning ahead of her commute to work.

She was shocked when a man sneaked up behind to within inches of her and asked: "Do you want a bit of this, love?"

When she turned turning round she realised he had exposed himself.

She told him to leave, to which he replied "I know you want it", before moving towards her.

The plucky victim, still holding the can of de-icer, then turned it on the man, spraying him in the eyes.

Speaking to The Bolton News, she has told how instinct kicked in after the man approached at 5.45am and hopes he is "shocked" into never repeating his actions.

After spraying him once, he reacted angrily and again moved towards her, prompting the woman, aged in her late 30s, to continue spraying the canister.

Eventually she chased him off and got into her car, locking the doors, before driving round the area looking for him, in case he tried to do it someone else. Her search was unsuccessful.

The victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said: "It is a bit surreal really. I can't believe that I did it.

"I always thought that if something like this happened I would freeze and not know what to do.

"I go out there every morning. Maybe I have got a bit complacent.

"I did not even hear him or his footsteps behind me.

"That is what really scared me and I was just so shocked.

"After I sprayed it the first time I think he was angry and I thought he was going to attack me."

Police attended to take a statement from the victim and are now on the hunt for the attacker, who was nowhere to be found by the time officers arrived.

They are concerned, given the very early time of the incident, that the man may be targeting women who are alone in the morning and could strike again.

The man was white, in his 30s, slim and about 5ft 7in tall with long, unkempt brown hair.

He was wearing a dark tracksuit and dark jacket and the victim said she thought the man looked gaunt and may well have been a drugs user.

On her intervention, she said: "I would do the same again. Maybe this will be a shock for him and stop him doing it to somebody else.

"I would not want anybody to be in that position.

"People have said well done but I just acted on instinct.

"Going to work on Tuesday morning, I felt a bit funny.

"But I should not let him scare me and I was annoyed that he made me feel like that. This won't keep me down."

No CCTV captured the incident and police are eager to speak with anyone who could help them identify the man.

Sgt Steve Malone, from Bolton South neighbourhood policing team, said: “This was a distressing ordeal for this woman to go through as she was simply trying to set out on her morning commute.

“On this occasion, she reacted quickly and came off better, but that might not be the case if this man tries something similar again.

“People should be extra vigilant and if they see anybody matching this man’s description, please get in touch with us straight away.”

Anyone with information can contact police on 0161 8565619 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.