A masked man is being hunted after a woman claims she was sexually assaulted as she walked home in Gillingham early today from a night out.

The 25-year-old told police she was grabbed from behind near the Shakespeare Road and St John's Road junction at 6.45am.

She said she screamed and elbowed her attacker before he ran off down St John's Road before calling police.

The man is described as white, in his mid 20s, 5ft 10ins and of medium build.

He was wearing a black rain jacket with a hood and had a black scarf across his face.

Witnesses or anyone with information is urged to phone DS Beverley Morrison at Kent Police on 01634 792588, giving reference XY/5625/14, or Kent Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.