A sex attacker has assaulted a young woman in Deal after forcing her into a car close to the seafront.

She was later found alone on the beach at Kingsdown by a dog walker, who police are now trying to trace.

Acting Det Insp Matt Banks told the Mercury: "I am very keen to speak to the woman who kindly took the victim to hospital.

"I believe she was walking her black and white collie dog, and drove a red car. She may hold important information which will help this investigation, and I urge her to contact Kent police."

A member of the police media team said: "This serious sexual assault took place between 6am and 8am on Sunday in the Kingsdown area.

"It is believed that the 20 year-old victim was at the junction of Sondes Road and Prince of Wales Terrace in Deal when a vehicle stopped and a man engaged her in conversation.

"She was forced into the vehicle and the assault took place inside it. The woman was found alone on the beach at Kingsdown by a dog walker shortly before 8am and taken to hospital.

"It is believed that two offenders were involved, one who drove the large dark coloured vehicle and the second who carried out the assault."

Both men are described as white, 30-40 years old, clean shaven, wearing hats and dark coloured clothing.

The man who carried out the assault is also described as having untidy stubble. He was wearing a black zip up fleece with a round neck and dark coloured drawstring jogging bottoms.

Anyone who may have seen anything suspicious on Sunday morning in either the Sondes Road and Prince of Wales Terrace area or Kingsdown beach area between 6am and 8am is asked to contact police on 01622 690690.

Alternatively call Kent Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.