A WOMAN has been left shaken after fighting off an attacker who dragged her into some bushes as she walked to work.

The 32-year-old woman had been making her way to work at a nursing home near County Hall in Durham just before 9.30pm on when she became aware of someone following her along North End.

As she looked behind she saw a stranger, who grabbed her by the arm and dragged her across the road towards some bushes.

She struggled hard to break free and kicked him hard on the leg, causing him to let go and run off.

He disappeared in the direction of a path leading to Southfield Way.

Shortly before the attack the woman had been passed by a female jogger and a silver estate car, with part of the registration NL51.

The man is described as 5ft 8in and slim and wore a black woollen hat with a red logo on the front. He had a black scarf across his face and a distinctive stud in his left eyebrow.

He also wore a three-quarter length, dark coat and Adidas tracksuit pants and black trainers with white stripes.

He spoke with a local accent but the woman was unsure about his age.

Detective Sergeant Steve Kitching, from Durham CID said: "At the moment we're not sure whether the motive for this was sexual or if it was an attempted robbery.

"Either way it left the victim badly traumatised, not just at the time, but well into the next day." Police would like to hear from anyone who recognises the description of the attacker and are especially keen to speak to the jogger and the driver of the silver car.

People can contact Durham CID on 0191-3864222 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.