A YOUNG woman escaped from a hooded attacker who tried to push her to the ground by kicking him in the groin.

The 19-year-old woman was shocked and suffered a bruise to her left cheek after the incident on the route between the recreation ground and Station Road in New Milton at about 12.30am last Friday.

Pc Hayley Wollaston said the woman had been out drinking with friends in the town and was walking alone from the skatepark to the town centre when the incident occurred.

"As she walked through the car park to the rear of Barclays Bank a man grabbed her arm. She turned and felt him grab her other arm before trying to push her to the floor," she said. "As she turned she kicked him in the groin area and ran to get help. She didn't see him again."

The attacker was white, aged in his 20s, about 5ft 10in tall and of medium build. He was wearing a dark, long-sleeved hooded top, which was tied up tight around his face.

Pc Wollaston said: "This incident happened very quickly and inevitably left the victim shocked. I am appealing to anyone who was in the area at the time of this incident and who saw someone acting suspiciously who fits this description to get in touch."

People should be vigilant when walking home at night and use well-lit routes, she added.

Anyone with information should contact PC Wollaston at Lymington police station on 0845 045 4545 or call the anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555111.