Police are hunting a pervert who attacked and sexually assaulted a woman as she pushed her bike along the East Lancs Road in Salford.

The 37-year-old woman had been riding her bike on the A580 from Salford towards Manchester at about 5am today when the attack took place.

As she passed Moorside High School, she noticed a man aged in his 50s.

He was walking on the same side of the road as her, but in the opposite direction. He looked at her, but she thought nothing of it.

She got off her bike at the Total Garage and started to push it along the East Lancs Road.

As she walked past the alley way which leads to Sheringham Drive, she was suddenly grabbed from behind and pulled to the ground Her attacker - who police believe is the man she had noticed earlier - then tried to force his hands down the woman's trousers and sexually assaulted her.

The victim started to scream and tried to push him off. A resident called police after hearing her being attacked.

The attacker then ran off down an alley.

He has been described as white, between 50 and 55 years old, 5ft 7ins tall, with short white or grey hair and of stocky build. He was clean-shaven and was wearing a black waist-length jacket with a motif on the upper arm, black gloves and black trousers.

Detective Chief Inspector Jon Chadwick, of Salford CID, said: "Fortunately for the victim, she was able to escape without being seriously harmed by her attacker but possibly only because her screams awoke a number of the local residents.

"Unless you have been a victim of this sort of crime, it is very difficult to imagine the fear this man inflicted upon this woman, and it is vital he is caught. He is obviously dangerous and is prepared to attack a lone woman in the early hours of the morning.

"We are doing all we can to catch this man, but we need your help. I know it was early and there may not have been many people about at that time but the East Lancs Road is a busy one. I'm appealing to anyone who was around to try and remember if they saw anybody who fits the description of the attacker or if they saw any part of the attack.

"If anyone does have any information about the incident, please come forward and speak to us.

"Put yourself in the shoes of the victim for one minute and you will see why it is so important we find this man and bring him to justice.

"I do not want the community to be alarmed. Incidents of this nature are very rare."

Anyone with any information should call Salford CID on 0161 856 5351 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.