TWO teenage girls were indecently assaulted at a beauty spot near Fareham in broad daylight.

The girls, both aged 14, were swimming in the River Meon at Funtley on Saturday afternoon when they were approached by three men who began talking to them and giving them alcoholic drink.

According to their statements to police, the girls were then indecently assaulted on the riverbank when they got out of the water. Teams of forensic officers spent yesterday combing the stretch of riverside at River Lane where the assault took place.

Fingertip searches were carried out in a bid to trace the attackers, who escaped in a white van described as small with barred windows at the back.

Detective Sergeant Derek Rawles said both girls, from the Fareham area, were extremely traumatised by the ordeal.

"They were both very upset. One girl was hysterical and it took a lot of talking to them to calm them down and get some sort of story from them."

According to police, the girls had spent several hours at the river on Saturday afternoon and an appeal has gone out to anyone who remembers seeing them.

Det Sgt Rawles said: "The girls themselves are being interviewed by specially trained officers and we are making inquiries from members of the public who have already phoned us who were in the area on Saturday.

"We understand that there were quite a few people who were enjoying the area at the time, having picnics and barbecues, and we would urge anyone who saw these girls to contact Fareham CID."

Descriptions of the offenders have also been released by detectives. The first man was described as being in his 20s, 5ft 5in, plump with short brown hair.

The second man was tanned, about 28, over 6ft with short black hair and stubble. The third man was lightly tanned with a shaved head and aged about 25.

Anyone with information can contact Det Con Nicky Turton at Fareham CID on 0845 045 4545.