Woman assaulted whilst jogging in Cuerden Valley Park

The woman had been running near the Stag Lodge car park entrance to the park, off Wigan Road in Bamber Bridge, when she was attacked at around 4.30pm.

Police said she was grabbed from behind by a man who then assaulted her as he tried to snatch her bumbag.

The woman screamed and the man ran off empty handed.

She said the man was white, slim, possibly eastern European, with a pale complexion and aged in his mid 40s to early 50s.

The woman also said he had "greying stubble, a long face and bony cheeks".

She said he had been wearing a thin black jacket zipped up with a peaked hood pulled up. He wore dark trousers and dark Skechers shoes.

Det Con Nick Steenbergen, of South CID, said: "This must have been an extremely distressing incident for the victim and it is fortunate she was not more seriously hurt.

"This incident happened in broad daylight in a popular area for dog walkers and other recreational users and I would appeal to anyone who saw what happened or who recognises the description of the attacker to come forward."

There are extra, high visibility patrols in the areas as reassurance.

Anyone with information should contact police on 101 quoting log 1067 of July 3 or independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

For immediate sightings call 999.