A WOMAN fought off a sex attacker who targeted her as she walked home along a Southampton street.

The 24-year-old victim had been on a night out and was walking alone along Banister Road leading into Archers Road, in the early hours of the morning when the attack happened.

The woman was approached by a man from the other side of the road.

He then sexually assaulted her, but she managed to fight him off and escape.

The victim then ran off towards The Avenue and when she was far enough away raised the alarm.

The woman rang a friend who then contacted the police.

Police say the the woman was not injured in the incident, but she was described by officers as “distraught” by what had had happened.

Police have launched a hunt to find the attacker and pleaded for help in tracking him down.

He is described as white, aged in his 30s, between 5ft 4ins and 5ft 6ins tall, of skinny build, with dark brown shaven hair and a receding hair line.

He is also said to have a brown beard, which was just longer than stubble, and was wearing a light coloured jacket with a hood and spoke with a Russian or Polish accent.

Officers have appealed for more information or any possible witnesses to the incident, which happened at around 4.20am on Saturday, to come forward.

Detective Constable Keith Evans, said: “I am appealing to anyone who may have been in the area at the time of the incident.

“Did you see or hear anything that could be connected to this assault?

“I would urge anyone with information to come forward and speak to us as soon as possible.”

Anyone with any information is asked to call the police on 101.