DETECTIVES have today stepped up their hunt for a man after sex attack on a young girl in a Southampton park.

The terrifying assault took place in undergrowth of Palmerston Park during the early hours of Sunday morning after the girl enjoyed a night out with her friends.

Today police issued a picture of a man they want to track down to help with their investigation into the attack.

The 22-year-old victim was subjected to the ordeal underneath a large cluster of trees, not far from the main road that separates the park from Watts Park.

Officers say she managed to escape and ran for help out of the park and into neighbouring Sussex Road where a council roadsweeper came to her aid and dialled 999.

Yesterday the area off New Road was cordoned off by police as they carried out forensic searches for evidence.

The victim had spent Saturday evening in the Quayside pub with a group of male and female friends before they split and the girls went to Ikon Diva nightclub. Shortly before 3am the trio were all seen on cameras outside the club but the victim became separated and was seen with a man who police are keen to trace.

The journey to Palmerston Park would have taken approximately 15 minutes by foot. The emergency call was made around 4.40am when the victim approached the council worker who police said had seen her in "a distressed and dishevelled" state.

Detective sergeant Dave Nealon said: "This is clearly a very serious incident which has left a victim extremely distraught and traumatised.

The roadsweeper found her in a very distressed and dishevelled state. We would also appeal to him direct to come forward and speak to us and provide us with information about what happened to the victim after she left the nightclub." Anyone with information is asked to call Det Sgt Dave Nealon Shirley CID on 0845 045 4545 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111