DETECTIVES in Essex are appealing for witnesses after a woman has reported being sexually assaulted.

A 20-year-old local woman said she was sexually assaulted by a man who followed her into the alleyway near to the walkway between Egerton Green and Shrub End roads.

Specialist officers are with the woman who is still very distressed by her ordeal.

Detectives believe that this incident took place around 11pm to midnight on Friday evening and need to speak to anyone who was in the area at the time and has any information.

Witnesses are asked to contact detectives on the sexual offences investigation team at Colchester police station on 101.