A MAJOR police hunt was launched today after a Hampshire teenager was attacked on her way to school.

The 15-year-old was grabbed and sexually assaulted as she walked through a footpath yesterday morning.

Details of the incident, which has left local residents shocked, were released by police last night.

Officers have launched an appeal for witnesses to help track down the attacker who stuck between 8am and 8.30am

The footpath in Eastleigh was sealed off by detectives all day yesterday as forensic experts hunted for clues.

The half-mile long path is between Falkland Road and Kingfisher Road near the Fleming Park Golf Course.

It is a popular route for youngsters on their way to school but today it was still sealed off.

Residents in nearby houses spoke of their horror that such an incident could have happened on a well-lit footpath used by so many schoolchildren.

Pensioner June Knight, 77, of Belmont Road, said: "I am very surprised. It is really bad, terrible. What is the world coming to."

She added: "I have used the footpath for years, every day but now I might walk round on the road. Children use the path all the time to reach Alderman Quilley secondary school and junior school.

"A few years ago there was a flasher exposing himself in the footpath but nothing nasty."

The attack happened about 200 yards along the footpath from Falkland Road, just past the subway which runs under the M3 and near to the start of the 16the hole of the golf course.

Dog walker Joe Northfield said: "I would not let my daughters walk down there at night but the fact that this happened in daylight is surprising.

"Normally it is quite safe."

One Alderman Quilley pupil, aged 16, said: "I use this footpath every day to get to school. It has always been safe."

Detectives have appealed for anyone who was in the area yesterday morning to contact the police at the major incident room at Southampton's Hulse Road police station on 0845 045 4545.

A police spokesman said: "They may have vital information that would assist us with our inquiries."