A MANHUNT has been launched in Eastleigh after a 15-year-old girl was seriously sexually assaulted as she walked to school.

The terrifying attack happened between 8am and 8.30am yesterday morning as the girl walked along the footpath next to Eastleigh's Fleming Park after walking out of the M3 underpass.

Police say she was jumped from behind and dragged into bushes where she was brutally assaulted. After the incident the man fled and the schoolgirl ran home and raised the alarm.

This morning officers said they were hunting for a man aged between 15 and 20, who was wearing a green raincoat, black hooded top and black trousers.

Youngsters were being advised not to make the walk to school alone, but to travel in pairs or with parents until the Easter break begins.

Officers said the high visibility police presence in the area meant that the chances of another attack happening were "quite slim" but asked children to stay vigilant.

The girl was this morning being comforted by her family and special police liaison officers following her ordeal at about 8.30am yesterday.

Leading the hunt for the attacker, Det Chief Insp Rachel Farrell said: "She is very distressed. She has been through a very traumatic ordeal. It is very difficult for her and her family."

The attack happened on the path which borders the golf course next to Fleming Park.

Police are not saying which school the girl attends but Det Chief Insp Farrell said specially trained family liaison officers were keeping in contact with the victim and "supporting her through this distressing time."

She added: "At this stage we are treating this as an attack by a stranger."

Following yesterday's attack police immediately sealed off the area while scenes of crime officers scoured the land for forensic evidence.

The rural path, about half a mile long which links the densely populated Velmore and Bird Aviary estates, is well used by joggers and dog walkers as well as people making their way to work.

Det Chief Insp Farrell added: "While such an incident is extremely rare, police are advising schoolchildren to walk in pairs or with parents to school and be vigilant in the period up until the Easter break.

"Children should let people know where they are going and what time they are expected."

Detectives are particularly hoping to speak to a 50-year-old grey haired man who was riding a mountain bike and wearing a reflective jacket. Police say the cyclist is regularly seen on the route by the victim.

They also want to contact a woman jogger who is described as slim and wearing a waistband with a personal stereo attached, an Asian man who was riding a bike and children wearing maroon school jumpers.

The man police are hunting is said to be slightly taller than his 5ft 3in victim.

Det Chief Insp Farrell said: "We are keen to hear from people who were in the area at the time or regular users of that route. Even if they are not sure whether they saw anything suspicious, they may have information which is significant to our enquiry."

The investigation, codenamed Operation Radium, is being dealt with by the major crime team based at Hulse Road in Southampton. Anyone with information should call 0845 045 4545.