Detectives have warned women to be on their guard amid fears a serial sex attacker could be on the loose.

The warning comes after two young women were assaulted in separate incidents in Ripon, North Yorkshire.

In the first incident, a 20-year-old woman was subjected to a vicious sexual assault as she returned to her car in a car park off Westgate at about 1am on Saturday, December 17.

The victim was approached from behind and pushed to the ground.

She was so traumatised by the ordeal that it was several days before she could give details of the attack.

The second incident took place at about 11.30pm on Thursday, December 29, in Firby Road.

A 17-year-old girl was grabbed from behind and threatened by a man.

However, she managed to break free, run away, hide and then summon help.

Detective Inspector Kevin Ross, the officer leading the investigation, said: "There is a possibility the attacker may strike again.

"People needn't be terrified, they should just take sensible precautions.

"If I was a young female going out in Ripon this weekend I would think carefully how I was getting home."

DI Ross has urged witnesses to come forward.

He has also appealed for any other information that may be relevant, adding: "It could be that you heard something in your local pub or it could be that your partner has been acting strangely.

"We would also appeal for any information on previous incidents."

DI Ross said he believed the attacks could be linked because they both occurred in the same area.

Descriptions given by the two women and the methods used also matched.

Police are currently working on an e-fit of the attacker.

The offender is described as a powerfully built white male in his 20s or 30s, who may have been bald or had a shaved head.

On both occasions he was wearing sports clothing and on the first occasion, possibly a baseball cap.

He smelled strongly of alcohol and cigarettes.

Anyone with information should call Harrogate CID on (01423) 539334.