Police are appealing for witnesses to an assault after a female dog walker was attacked by another woman in Cockington Woods, Torquay.

The woman, from Torquay, was walking her dog in the woods around 8.50am on Tuesday, June 24 when she was approached by two people close to Warren Barn.

The pair, thought to be a mother and son, were walking with two Alsatians and a white Sky Terrier which were off the lead.

The victim asked if they would mind putting the dogs on the lead while she walked by as she and her dog, a Collie Cross, had been attacked before.

The female offender, aged in her 50s, then launched an unprovoked attack on the victim punching and kicking her, pulling her hair and grabbing her throat.

Her son and a passing dog walker, a man in his 50s, had to intervene before the assault was stopped. The victim, a woman in her 30s, sustained bruising to her face and leg.

Police are now appealing for witnesses and are particularly keen to speak to the male dog walker who intervened and anyone who could help them identify the suspects.

The woman is described as white, 5ft 3ins tall, of medium build and with dark brown wavy shoulder length hair. She had brown eyes and freckles on her face, and was wearing a blue polo shirt and black shorts.

The male with her was white, 5ft 10ins tall, and of large build, with a skinhead hairstyle and big round eyes. He was wearing a red cap and skinhead. He was wearing a black polo shirt, black shorts and trainers.

Anyone who witnessed the assault or recognises the descriptions of the suspects is asked to contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting crime reference CR/084160/14.