A 47-year-old man from Tranmere has been arrested on suspicion of sexual assault following an attack on a woman in Arrowe Park Road on Saturday night.

The man will be questioned by detectives from the force's Unity team.

The police investigation remains ongoing and witnesses are still being sought.

The incident happened on Arrowe Park Road in Thingwall at around 10.40pm.

The woman, who is aged in her 20s, was walking along the pavement when a man stepped out from a gap in the bushes near to the entrance of the Warrens medical centre and confronted her.

He grabbed her by the arm and when he did the woman resisted and during a brief struggle he sexually assaulted her.

She shouted for help and the attacker ran off in the same direction from which he had appeared.

The victim ran home and told her family who in turn called the police.

Patrols searched the area last night and inquiries are continuing today to identify and find the man.

The attacker was around 5ft 8ins tall with brown stubble.

He spoke with a local accent and was wearing a black beanie-style hat, black work boots and dark clothing.

Neighbourhood patrols have been stepped up in the area to provide a reassuring police presence for the public.

Specialist officers from the force's Unity team are supporting the victim. She suffered scratches to her body and face and has been left extremely shaken by what happened.

Detective Inspector Paul Grounds from Unity said: "Incidents like this are rare and I would like to reassure the local community that we are doing everything we can to catch the offender.

"People can expect to see a visible police presence in the area today, particulary this evening, and I hope they will feel reassured.

"This assault happened as the young woman walked along a very busy main road at a time of night when people may have been coming home from the pub, walking the dog, or using public transport.

"I would urge people to cast their mind back to last night and please contact us if they remember seeing anyone matching the offender's description or acting suspiciously.

"Even the smallest piece of information could turn out to be significant. "

Call the Unity team on 0151 777 1382 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.