A MAN has been arrested after a woman was sexually assaulted in Laindon.

Officers arrested a 41-year-old man from Basildon in Pitsea shortly after 5pm on Saturday. He remains in custody being questioned by detectives.

Detectives had appealed for witnesses following the incident, which happened near the church on St Nicholas Lane at around 1.30am on Saturday.

The victim, who is local, was approached from behind by a man near to the junction with Basildon Drive and was pushed into nearby bushes before being sexually assaulted.

She struggled with the attacker and managed to break away to raise the alarm, sustained minor grazes to her body and left badly shaken.

Det Insp Terry Balding said: "We want to hear from anyone who was in the area at the time and saw or heard what was going on.

"The woman was grabbed from behind and dragged to the floor by a man who then attacked her.

“I urge anyone who recognises the description of the man to get in contact with officers.”

The man is described as white with tanned skin, in his early forties, around 5ft 6ins tall and with facial stubble.

He was wearing a black beanie hat with a black waterproof jacket.

Anyone with information should officers at the South Sexual Offences Investigation Team on 101 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.