POLICE are hunting a man who carried out a serious sexual assault and threatened to kill a woman returning from a Christmas night out.

The 51-year-old woman was walking home from Angelo's night club in Fleet Street when she was grabbed and punched in the face in Euclid Street.

The attacker pounced between 2am and 2.45am on Saturday, and police believe she was either followed from the club or pursued as she walked via Theatre Square.

Acting Det Segt Adrian Davis, of Swindon CID, said: "This was a really unpleasant attack which left the victim extremely distressed. We would like to speak to anyone who may have seen the woman, who was left with blood on her face after the attack.

"We especially want to hear from a couple who walked past the victim as she was walking in the vicinity of Euclid Street."

The attack took place near Queens Park Social Hall, where detectives cordoned off the area later on Saturday morning.

The victim is 5ft tall and was wearing a dark jacket. The woman screamed before running home and contacting police.

Her attacker was white, 5ft 2in to 5ft 8in tall, aged in his 30s, with cropped hair. He was clean shaven, had a medium to slim build and a local accent.

Anyone who can help police should contact ADS Davis at Swindon CID on Swindon 528111, or call Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555111.