A £2,000 reward has been offered for information to catch a man who attempted to rape a woman in broad daylight.

The victim was attacked as she walked her dog next to the River Tees, in Thornaby, last month.

The 43-year-old was in the area known to locals as Black Bobby’s Field when she stopped to take pictures from a concrete jetty at about 10.15am on Monday, July 6.

Detectives believe the suspect would have been left with significant injuries inflicted by his battling victim.

Officers believe the man –described as short with shaven brown hair and reeking of garlic – may have a visible head injury, together with scratches on his arms and a bite mark on his left forearm.

Cleveland Police have released a description of the attacker and say he may have also been wearing a ring, watch or piece of jewellery on his left hand. He was said to be heavy and strong, but not overly muscular.

Now Crimestoppers is offering a reward of up to £2,000 for information which leads to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible.

Dave Hunter, regional manager for the North-East, said: “This woman has gone through an ordeal that is every woman’s nightmare, and had she not been able to fight off her attacker, the outcome could have been even worse.

“I’d ask anyone who may have been in the area at the time of this attack to contact Crimestoppers if you have any information, no matter how small, safe in the knowledge nobody will know you spoke to us.”

Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800-555-111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org