2 June 2012 Last updated at 07:38 ET

'Brave' Wigan sex attack victim praised

A 36-year-old woman who fought off a sex attacker in Wigan has been praised for her bravery.

The woman was sexually assaulted after being hit on the head and dragged down a dirt track just before 01:30 BST.

Her attacker fled the scene, near Spring View Cricket Club in Platt Bridge, after she scratched his face.

Det Sgt Gary Ashurst said: "It was only thanks to her sheer courage in the face of such danger that she was able to fight him off."

'Feared for life'

The officer, from Greater Manchester Police, also said: "This woman was subjected to a truly terrible ordeal at the hands of this coward.

"It is no exaggeration to say she feared for her life."

He added: "This woman showed incredible bravery to fight her attacker off and raise the alarm within minutes, which means we have been able to launch an immediate investigation to find this man."

He also said that the suspected attacker would have scratches on the left side of his face.