A MAN exposed himself to a woman on Southampton Common before going on to commit a serious sexual assault.

The man attempted to bundle the 21-year-old woman into bushes but she managed to scream and struggle free and raise the alarm.

The woman had been walking with her bike, which was broken, along the pathway by Burgess Road when she spotted the man exposing himself at about 8.30pm on Monday.

The man was described as white, in his 30s or early 40s with a pot belly and short dark hair.

He was wearing a blue jacket over a lighter coloured T-shirt with knee-length shorts.

The victim also said he smelt of alcohol and cigarettes.

Police are keen to speak to anyone who recognises the description of the man or any customers or staff at local pubs who may have seen the man running away from the scene.

Anyone with information about the attack can contact Det Con Mick Ellis at Bitterne CID on 0845 045 4545.