POLICE experts searched a graveyard for clues after a young woman said she had been attacked there.

Det Sgt Curtis Hogben, of Weald Police, said the woman, in her 20s, had called at Ashford Police Station to say she had been attacked in the grounds of St Gregory's and St Martin's Parish Church, Wye, in the early hours of Saturday. She was not seriously injured.

Det Sgt Hogben said: "We are in the early stages of the investigation." Forensic scientists had examined the scene on Saturday.

The Vicar of Wye, the Rev John Richardson, said the extensive churchyard which surrounds the church was cordoned off from 12.30pm until 8pm on Saturday, closing a public footpath across it from Churchfield Road to Olantigh Road.

In church we said prayers for the victim and for whoever was responsible for this," Mr Richardson added.

People in the area said they were mystified by the incident. No-one is reported to have heard anything suspicious at the time of the attack, believed to have occurred between 2am and 3am.

One neighbour said the area was normally quiet. Another said young vandals roamed around late at night but thought they would not be responsible for the alleged attack.

"They would know that the finger would be pointed at them," she added.