A TERRIFIED mother told last night how she feared for her life when a man held a butcher's knife to her throat during a shocking, daytime attack in a picturesque Suffolk village.

A TERRIFIED mother told last night how she feared for her life when a man held a butcher's knife to her throat during a shocking, daytime attack in a picturesque Suffolk village.

The woman, who has not been named, was grabbed from behind and “froze with terror” during the ordeal, which has shocked the close-knit community of Long Melford.

Police last night launched an urgent appeal for witnesses to the assault - and said people going to work or taking their children to school could play an important part in the investigation.

The 36-year-old victim, who was uninjured, told the EADT: “I got out of the car and turned round and saw this man on top of me.

“I couldn't see his eyes - he just grabbed me by the throat and, with his other hand, put a large butcher's knife in front of my face.

“The whole incident only lasted a few minutes but it felt like forever. I was quite shaken at the time. “When it happened, I froze, I couldn't move, I couldn't speak - I just froze.

“I was quite tearful and very distressed although I did calm down a bit, But when I got home, it all hit me again - I thought that I might never have come back home again, I was very lucky.”

The woman was attacked after she got out of her car in Sudbury Road, Long Melford, at about 8.30am yesterday .

The man grabbed her around the neck and held a knife to her face before running off towards Long Melford.

Sgt Andrew Mason, of Sudbury police, said: “The woman involved in the incident has understandably been left very shaken by her ordeal.

“The man did not threaten her with words or demand anything from her and the whole incident lasted a number of seconds.

“Officers are working with the woman to obtain a clear picture of what happened and extensive searches of the area have been conducted to locate the offender.

“At this time of morning, Sudbury Road in Long Melford would be busy with people making their way to work or on a school run.

“We are appealing to anyone who might have seen this man who was wearing quite distinctive clothing either prior to or after the incident took place.”

Speaking last night, Long Melford Parish Council chairman Judi Walton said: “It is awful that such a violent assault could happen in broad daylight and it sounds like the woman was very lucky to escape unharmed. It is especially shocking as Melford is such a lovely and very safe place to live.”

The man - whose face was covered by a dark-coloured scarf - has been described as white, 6ft tall wearing a white jacket with the hood up and a white tracksuit trousers or bottoms.

Anyone with information should contact Pc Michelle French at Sudbury Police on 01284 774300 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.