POLICE have released an e-fit of a man they want to speak to in connection with an attempted assault of a woman in Bidston on Tuesday, September 7.

At about 6.45pm the 28-year-old woman was walking her dog along a wooded pathway near to the junction of Statham Road and Eleanor Road when she was confronted by a man.

The man initially asked the woman for the time but then attacked her.

A struggle continued for about two minutes, during which the woman called to her dog and it bit into the attacker's left arm.

The offender started shouting "Colin" and a small white dog appeared but ran off on seeing the woman's dog. The struggle stopped and the woman and her dog walked off with the man shouting threats after her.

He is described as white, around 5ft 11in to 6ft tall, of very stocky build with broad shoulders and in his late 20s or early 30s. He has a very pale complexion, shaved white/fair hair that is thinning on top, pale coloured stubble and very blue eyes with large pupils.

He has a blue and green tattoo on his left arm that is thought to be of three lions as in the England flag and a blue/green tattoo on one of his legs. The offender is also likely to have puncture injuries to his left arm from dog bites.

At the time of the attack he was wearing white shorts, white socks, old white trainers and a dirty white T-shirt.

Detective Constable Tony Jones said: "This was a disturbing incident which left the victim shocked and upset. We are determined to identify the offender and would appeal to anyone with any information to come forward.

"We would like to reassure the local community that this type of attack is very rare and we are treating it as an isolated incident."

Officers are asking for the public's help in tracing the offender and ask anyone with any information to call Merseyside Police on 0151 777 2265, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.