A WOMAN was viciously attacked with a bottle as she jogged along a footpath.

The unprovoked assault left the 32-year-old victim with cuts to her head and face after being hit repeatedly about the head with the glass bottle.

Police launched a manhunt and officers cordoned off a section of the path alongside Castle Lane in North Baddesley while forensic teams investigated the scene.

The woman had been jogging in Hogtrough Wood before entering the Castle Lane footpath between Misslebrook Lane and Templers Way on Monday night.

Just after 7.50pm the attacker jumped over a fence alongside the footpath and struck her from behind several times on the head with the bottle.

He then continued to punch her in the face, leaving her with head and facial injuries.

The attacker then headed off in the direction of Knightwood Park, although it is not known whether he was on foot or in a vehicle that was parked nearby.

The man is described as being white, aged between 20 and 24, about 6ft 3in, of slim to medium build, with a pale triangular-shaped face, mild acne and short, dark hair. He was clean shaven.

He was wearing a white T-shirt with a design on the front under a khaki-coloured hooded top. He may also have been wearing a necklace or bracelet around his neck or wrist.

Det Sgt Steve Edbury, who is leading the investigation, said: "We urge anyone who used Castle Lane on Monday night between 7pm and 8.30pm to contact us as they may well have information that will assist in tracing this man.

"We would particularly appeal to dog-walkers, joggers, walkers or cyclists who use the footpath or Hogtrough Wood during that time as it is very probable that they may have seen or passed the offender."

l Anyone with any information should contact Eastleigh CID on 0845 045 4545 quoting Operation Whitehaven or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.