A sex attacker was disturbed by passers-by as he attempted to carry out a serious assault on a woman in a quiet village street early today.

The 25-year-old woman escaped with minor injuries when her attacker fled the scene in Green Road, Baildon, at 12.50am.

Detectives were today hunting the suspect, described as a 25 to 35-year-old man, who pounced on the woman after following her to the foot of cliffs close to the village centre.

The victim spotted the man walking in the same direction on the opposite side of the road before he pushed her against the banking. She then struggled with him, and was hit around the face before the sound of the scuffle alerted a couple walking nearby and the attacker fled.

He was spotted driving away in a small hatchback car.

Today Detective Inspector Trevor Gasson, of Keighley CID, said the woman had escaped a serious sexual assault.

The suspect was white, over 6ft tall, with light coloured hair. He was wearing a black hip length jacket with his hood up and blue jeans. The woman had been in the nearby Bay Horse pub, and police would like to talk with anyone who had been in the pub on the night.

Call Keighley CID on (01535) 617083.