POLICE have launched an appeal for witnesses after a woman was sexually assaulted in a Derbyshire town.

Officers said the incident happened in a wooded area close to Cantelupe Road, Ilkeston on Sunday when a man sexually assaulted a woman who was walking home.

Derbyshire Police said the woman managed to fight him off and run away.

The man, aged in his mid-20s, is described as white, around 5ft 10in tall and of medium build.

He was wearing a white Nike top with a small black tick on the front and had his nose pierced, wearing a gold ball stud.

Inspector Dave Walker, who oversees policing in Erewash said: “We know that reports of this nature will understandably cause concern amongst the local community and would like to reassure the public that we have a dedicated team of detectives working around the clock to find the person responsible.

“Ilkeston is a tight-knit community, and we have become aware of speculation about this being connected to another incident in the same area on 14 June.

“We can confirm that these are not linked. A man was charged in connection with the earlier incident the following day and was remanded to prison on 16 June.

“We are very keen to speak with anyone who has information which may help with our enquiries into this incident.