A man grabbed a teenage girl and tried to indecently assault her after attempting to strike up a conservation.

The 16-year-old girl was walking towards the junction of Seaside Road and Whitley Road, Eastbourne, yesterday between 9.45am and 10am when the man pulled up alongside her in a white pick-up van.

He tried to talk to her but when she ignored him he jumped out, grabbed her and tried to indecently assault her.

The man was 5ft 9in tall and stockily built. He wore blue jeans, a checked shirt and a black bomber jacket with an orange lining.

Police are appealing for witnesses.