A 30-year-old Canterbury man has been released on bail after being arrested following an allegation of a serious sexual assault made by a woman in her 20s.

He was questioned by officers following the report and a major police search was carried out of the area in St Mary's Green, Canterbury.

The man has been bailed until April 28, police confirmed on Sunday morning.

Police cordoned off the area in central Canterbury after the suspected assault on Friday afternoon and seven officers were seen conducting a fingertip search on Saturday.

Officers conducted door-to-door inquiries in roads around St Mary's Green at Castle Street, near the Dane John, in the city centre following reports of an attack on a young woman at 4pm on Friday.

Witnessed said officers sealed off the area from about 6pm on Friday evening.

Two police community support officers guarded the scene on Saturday morning while examinations of the scene continued.

Staff at the Steven James barbers opposite the gardens say they did not see any police there on Friday night only seeing the activity there on Saturday morning.