A WOMAN was the victim of a serious sexual assault in the early hours of the morning in Runcorn.

Police are investigating the incident, which occurred at around 4am on Saturday, July 16, in the Astmoor Road area.

It was reported to have happened on a path near to the Howdens Joinery manufacturing site, with a police cordon established in the Chadwick Road and Brindley Road area.

Officers say that the attack was carried out by a man who was unknown to the woman, who Cheshire Police says was in her 30s.

The investigation remains ongoing, and anyone with any information is asked to get in touch with the force.

A spokesman for Cheshire Police said: “At around 4.15am on Saturday, July 16, police received a report of a serious sexual assault in the Astmoor Road area of Runcorn.

“The incident occurred on a path near to the Howdens Joinery manufacturing site around 15 minutes earlier.

“Officers attended and have established that the victim – a woman in her 30s – did not know the man who sexually assaulted her.

“She is being supported by specialist officers and enquiries in relation to the incident are ongoing.”

Anyone with any information, CCTV or dashcam footage that may help the ongoing investigation is asked to report it to Cheshire Police by visiting cheshire.police.uk/tell-us or call 101, quoting IML 1318373.

Information can also be passed on to Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555 111 or visiting crimestoppers-uk.org