A 20-year-old woman was sexually assaulted as she was walking on her own in a town centre in the early hours of the morning.

Police say the incident occurred in Bank Street, Maidstone, at around 5am on Sunday.

Gianna Pollero, police media spokeswoman for mid Kent, said: "The victim, who lives in the Maidstone area, was approached by the man who grabbed her and indecently assaulted her.

"She shouted out and the offender ran away down Mill Street, towards College Road. At this point a taxi driver stopped to make sure the victim was all right. She was not injured."

The offender is described as black, aged between 22 to 30, 6ft tall, of stocky build, with short hair.

He was wearing a dark tracksuit with the hood up and the bottoms rolled up at the ankles, and a dark, mid thigh length overcoat of wool type fabric.

Police are particularly keen to speak to the taxi driver who stopped to check on the welfare of the victim and anyone who may have details about the offender.

Anyone with information is asked to contact PC Martin Giles on 01622 604276 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 – this call is free and confidential.