STUNNED neighbours have spoken of their shock after a woman walking through a Hampshire park was the victim of a serious sexual assault.

She was cutting through Holbury Manor Park, a large of woodland between Holbury and Stonyford Hill, when she was confronted by a man and attacked.

Police are refusing to release any further details, saying they are still interviewing the woman to establish exactly what happened.

Officers have collected CCTV footage taken by cameras at the Old Mill Inn and other businesses in a bid to track down her assailant.

Last night Cllr Allan Glass, who represents the area on New Forest District Council, said he was “shocked and dismayed” to learn of the incident.

“Holbury is normally such a safe place,” said Cllr Glass.

A man whose home overlooks the 25-acre park added: “It’s usually a fairly quiet area and hearing about a serious sexual assault is quite unnerving.”

Holbury Manor Park and Warren Copse is managed by Fawley Parish Council under an agreement drawn up with English Nature and the Forestry Commission.

Parish clerk Tony Quinn said: “We have regular liaison meetings with the police and no concerns relating to the park have been flagged up in the five months that I’ve been in post.”

The facility is a popular dog-walking area that also boasts a fishing lake near the Park Lane entrance.

Police say a woman in her early twenties was walking through the area last Friday at 11.30pm when she was approached by a man and sexually assaulted.

Officers are urging anyone who was in the area between 10.30pm and midnight to come forward.

Detective Sergeant Gemma Hunter said she needed to hear from any residents who saw a woman walking alone or a man walking either in or around the park.

She added: “I’m also keen to speak to anyone who might have seen or heard anything suspicious in Holbury Manor Park, Park Lane or Lime Kiln Lane.”

Police not giving out any information about the nature of the assault.

A spokesman said: “We are working with the victim to establish the full circumstances around this incident.”

Call Det Sgt Hunter at Southampton police station on 101 or ring Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.