POLICE say a 15-year-old girl was sexually assaulted in a village near Thirsk.

North Yorkshire Police said the girl was approached by a man outside the Crown and Anchor pub in Sowerby, and touched inappropriately by a man while she stood close to the sign for Gravel Hole Lane.

A spokesman said: "The victim is vulnerable and is not able to give an exact date, but detectives believe the incident happened between Sunday, February 11, and Tuesday, February 13.

"The suspect is described as white, tall and aged 40 to 50. He had scruffy, unwashed, greasy hair, bushy eyebrows, a large unkempt beard and crooked, discoloured teeth. He was wearing a T-shirt and tracksuit trousers. He spoke with a non-local accent, possibly from the North East or Merseyside."

Anyone with information or who saw anything suspicious should phone police on 101, email nicola.pattison@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk or phone Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111 quoting reference 12180027073.