POSTERS urging witnesses to come forward following a daylight attack on Southampton Common will be put up over the coming days.

Scores of the appeals will be placed around the area close to where a 19-year-old girl was grabbed by a stranger who tried to drag her into bushes. Local residents will also be given a separate appeal poster asking for information about the attack.

The investigation has now been taken on by the city's major crime department, who have a dedicated team investigating the serious assault.

The inquiry is so high-profile because officers believe that the attack was sexually motivated and the potential for what could have happened is far worse, had it not been for a passer-by.

As previously reported, the victim was walking along a footpath close to Highfield Lane at midday on Tuesday when the man pounced.

His attack came to an end only when a member of the public approached and the girl broke free and ran.

The scene was cordoned off throughout Wednesday while searches were carried out, and members of the public walking in the area were stopped and questioned.

House-to-house inquiries were continuing in the area, which is heavily populated by students.

A man who was arrested following the attack has now been released on police bail until September.

The attacker is described by police as possibly of Mediterranean or Arabic appearance. He is thought to be aged 19-25, about 5ft 7in, with a small mouth, a straight nose and a round face. He was wearing a black round-necked T-shirt and black trousers.