A HOSPITAL worker sexually assaulted by a flasher on a riverside walk just 50 yards from a bustling pub has spoken of her terrifying experience.

The 30-year-old woman from Bradford on Avon revealed how she fought past the teenage flasher, who pounced on her after hiding in bushes close to the town swimming pool on Friday night.

He struck just yards away from the busy Riverside Inn, where drinkers were enjoying the waterfront beer garden in the warm weather.

The victim said: "It has affected my life. I will never forget it. Even in places I think I will be safe I will never walk alone again.

"This has the potential for leading onto something else something more serious."

The attack happened about 9.30pm as the victim was walking alongside the River Avon on her way home from the Cross Guns at Avoncliff.

She saw a man walking in front of her head into bushes near the swimming pool, and then he stepped out into the path, committed a sex act and lunged towards her.

"I thought he was drunk but saw he was committing a sex act," she said.

"I sidestepped to my left but he grabbed me. Luckily I was able to put my right hand underneath his chin and bring it up quite violently.

"I just ran and didn't look back. I cried all the way home. I felt angry and frightened. I couldn't see his face because he was wearing a baseball cap and had his head down."

The victim didn't report the assault until the next day, when she decided the pervert needed to be stopped before his crimes escalated further.

"I would like to have him caught just because I am worried about what might potentially happen," she said.

"In a way I am surprised by my reaction. If it had been a younger woman who was smaller they could have been frightened by his size."

Police say the man may have already attacked other women who have been too embarrassed to report the crime.

PC Gary Jones said he is looking into unsolved sex attacks to look for trends or clues.

A group of 10 youths seen by the victim walking behind the attacker may also hold vital clues. They were last seen walking into the station car park.

PC Jones said: "This is potentially very serious. The fact it was still light is very worrying.

"I would have previously been happy for my wife to walk along that stretch of path.

"Whether the offender is a local person or not we have no idea. Most sexual offenders start with flashing or committing very minor indecent assaults which move on to more serious offences."

The man is described as white, aged 18-20, 5ft 10ins-6ft, with medium short dark hair, and was wearing a baggy white shirt and blue jeans and a dark baseball cap.

Any information about the attack should go to PC Jones on (01225) 862222.