DETECTIVES hunting a sex attacker who put a woman through a terrifying three-hour ordeal yesterday released images relating to the assault.

The stills were taken from CCTV footage of the attacker and his victim after the serious sexual assault in Harrogate's Valley Gardens.

They show the man trying to walk his victim back to the town centre, her escape and the attacker then fleeing on foot.

Police hope the pictures will jog the memory of anyone who saw the man or his victim early in the morning of July 4.

The woman, in her forties, was grabbed by the throat and thrown into bushes near the wishing well in the Valley Gardens where she was subjected to the attack and then held for three hours.

The man was between 55 and 60, with grey, collar-length hair and a bushy grey moustache. He wore a grey short-sleeved shirt with a square design on it, grey cotton jean-style trousers and black slip-on shoes. He was about 5ft 10in and of athletic build. His blonde victim was wearing white jeans and a denim waistcoat.

Anyone who can help is asked to contact the witness line on (01423) 539334 or Harrogate police on (01423) 505541.