A GERMAN language student was put through a terrifying ordeal when she was sexually assaulted in broad daylight in a Devizes churchyard.

The attack happened at St James Church in Estcourt Street at about 1.30pm on Friday as the 24-year-old woman was examining headstones in the graveyard near the Crammer.

She was approached by two white men. The first is described as about 22 to 25, six feet tall, of athletic build, wearing a red hooded top with a white chest motif, faded blue jeans and white trainers. His companion was about 20, 5ft 7in, wearing a green hooded sweatshirt, black trousers and dirty trainers. He had a pale complexion.

The first man is reported to have said: "Come on, sweetheart, you look gorgeous. I'm going to have sex with you."

The second offender grabbed the young woman from behind and held her hands behind her back with one hand, putting his other arm across her face to stop her screaming.

The first man undid his belt and pulled the zip down on his jeans. He told her: "You're too shy" and undid the top button and zip of her trousers.

Fortunately for the woman, a passer- by shouted at the attackers and they made off on their bicycles down Church Walk while the young woman ran off towards Estcourt Street.

The Rev Chris Tebbutt, vicar of St James's, said he was shocked by the attack.

He said: "I am meeting with my churchwardens to discuss how we can make the churchyard more safe. We have been talking with the council about the possibility of extending the footpath round the Crammer to join up with the churchyard to make it more of a community area.

"When Crammer Court is rebuilt and there are people living there it will help as the area will be overlooked by residents.

"We have never had an incident like this before as far as I know and for it to happen in broad daylight, and to a foreign visitor, is just terrible."

Town councillor Noel Woolrych, who sits on the Kennet Community Safety Partnership, said he was completely appalled at the assault.

He said: "This is probably the first assault of this kind that has happened to a complete stranger that I have ever heard of, and it is the more disturbing for that.

"A random attack on a complete stranger is a very worrying development, especially when it happened to a foreign tourist. I hope this is a one-off incident and never happens again."

Although Coun Woolrych is a supporter of introducing CCTV security cameras into the town centre, he pointed out that the churchyard would not have been covered by any proposed scheme.

Devizes police say they are taking the incident very seriously and particularly want to talk to the man who shouted at the attackers. He is described as being in his fifties, 5ft 6ins, of rather dishevelled appearance, with short grey hair and glasses. They would also like to hear from anyone else who witnessed the incident or saw the men cycling away.

The officer dealing with the case is PC Andy Beavan on (01380) 722141.

The churchyard overlooks the Crammer which is a popular place for children and families. It is also on the main route into the town from large areas of new housing.

Tourists have already been discouraged from returning to the town by late night drunken louts and violence. Last week PC Tom Kinderman was attacked in the Market Place by a local woman as he gave directions to visitors.