DETECTIVES have confirmed they are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the rape of a woman in an Essex nature reserve.

Police were contacted at 8.30pm on Saturday by a woman who alleged she was sexually assaulted by two men.

She told officers it happened at a nature reserve in Central Park, Chelmsford, between 10.30pm and 11.30pm the previous evening.

The woman, who is aged in her 20s and lives locally, had been walking along a footpath by a cycle track when she was dragged into the nature reserve and assaulted.

The assailants were disturbed by the noise a group of young women were making as they walked along the path after a night out in the town centre.

The offenders are described as white, in their mid to late 20s, approximately 5ft 7ins and were wearing jeans. One man was wearing a white, checked shirt.

A spokesman for Essex Police said the victim was uninjured but clearly traumatised by her ordeal.

He urged anyone with information about the alleged offence to contact detectives at Chelmsford police station on 0300 333 4444.