A teenager is recovering at home after a man dragged her into bushes and tried to sexually assault her.

The 18-year-old woman was walking home alone along Brighton Road in Worthing at 3am today when she was approached by the man, who made an indecent remark to her.

He then pushed her into bushes near the entrance of Beach House Park - just yards from Worthing Aquarena - placed his hands over her throat and pulled at her clothing.

The victim fought back and the man ran off eastwards, away from the town centre.

Detectives have launched a hunt for the sex pest in case he decides to target other lone women in the area.

The man was in his early twenties, white, around 5ft 9in tall and slim. He had a long, clean-shaven face and was wearing a grey hoody, dark jeans and smelled strongly of aftershave.

Detective Constable Simon Smith, who is investigating the attack, said: "The young woman was very shaken but was otherwise unharmed.

"We do not want to cause any panic among women as there is no reason to believe this will happen again.

"However we hope that people in the town will take extra care when out and about."

Witnesses or any other women who were approached by the man should contact DC Smith on 0845 6070999 or 0800 555111.