DETECTIVES are continuing their massive search for the sex attacker who seriously assaulted a 10-year-old schoolgirl in Ashford. The girl was brutally beaten and assaulted near Speldhurst Close on the Stanhope estate, last Thursday night.

Det Ch Insp Colin Murray, who is heading the investigation, said: "It was an unprovoked, vicious attack, on a defenceless girl. She is extremely traumatised, but not seriously injured."

The girl had spent the night at the Shuttle Youth Club, held at the Ray Allen Centre, and was collecting a sign from outside just after 9pm, when she was snatched. She was dragged across playing fields to an area of woodland near to flats in Speldhurst Close, where she was assaulted.

An incident room has been set-up and anybody with information is asked to telephone 01622 654580.