TWO girls have been seriously sexually assaulted in the space of 12 hours. Both attacks took place in the Gillingham area, less than a mile apart.

The first attack took place in Cinder Alley, Gillingham, at 4.15pm on Tuesday. The victim had been walking down Woodlands Road, on her way home with a friend.

She left her friend near the railway bridge and took the alleyway that runs towards Ingram Road. A short distance along the alleyway, the girl was assaulted.

The offender is described as a 24-year-old man, 5ft 4ins tall with shaven blond hair. He has a gold ring in his left ear and was wearing a dark blue Adidas top and black T-shirt.

Detective Sergeant Terry Easterby said: "The victim was obviously very distressed and I would urge anyone who may have information to contact Medway police on 01634 884071 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."

The second attack took place just hours later, at 2am today. A girl was walking along an alleyway from Preston Way into Twydall Infants School, in Romany Road, when she was seriously sexually assaulted.

The victim was on her way home from Amadeus nightclub and had just got off the night bus at the stop near The Hop and Vine pub in Rainham High Street.

Police would ask anyone travelling on that bus between midnight and 2.30am to contact Medway police on 01634 884071 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

All calls to Crimestoppers are free and will be treated in the strictest of confidence.