WOMEN clubbing in Maidstone on Saturday night could hold the key to a police investigation into an assault.

Officers want to speak to an “extremely skinny” black man with a goatee beard in connection with the assault on a 22-year-old woman as she left the Union Bar nightclub at 2am.

They believe he is likely to have been in other clubs and bars in the town that night and may have talked to women, perhaps giving them his name or where he lived.

Maidstone and Malling Police have urged anyone who may have talked to the man--who is in his 30s and about 5ft 10ins tall and wearing a navy blue shirt--to contact them.

Police sealed off Pudding Lane between Medway Street and High Street on Saturday while officers searched for evidence. CCTV footage was also being reviewed.

The woman said she had just left the club when the assault took place. The white 22-year-old -- who has shoulder-length blonde hair and wore a light blue jacket, a Khaki Green top, black trousers and black boots -- was found to have no serious injuries when she was examined.

No information about the nature of the assault has been released. Police spokeswoman Margaret Kirk said: “Detectives investigating the assault want to hear from people who may have seen her in the High Street or town centre generally after 2am.

“We believe she was in conversation with a man before the assault took place. If anyone saw any kind of disturbance or argument then please get in touch with us.”

Det Insp Nigel Shambler said: "At that time of the morning we would still expect to see quite a number of people on the streets in the town centre, with crowds turned out of night clubs.

“I am hoping that anyone who saw this young woman talking to the distinctively skinny man with a goatee beard will come forward to tell us what they saw."

Police are also trying to trace a gold or silver Vauxhall which may have been parked nearby.

Anyone with information should call Maidstone police on 01622 608189.