A TEENAGER was grabbed by a man and raped as she walked along a seafront yesterday.

The 19-year-old victim had been out with friends on Saturday evening but left by herself.

She was walking on the upper promenade in Eastbourne at around 2am, towards the pier, when a man she had not met before pulled her onto the lower promenade, just to the east side of the pier, where he raped her.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the attack.

Detective Inspector Neil Ralph said: "The man who raped her is described as mixed race or black, medium build with a bald head or cropped hair. We are supporting the victim, who is obviously very distressed by what happened. We are working to establish what happened. It is an isolated incident, and appealing to anyone who might have been in the area at the time.

"Anyone who might be able to help is asked to get in touch on 101 or email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk quoting Op Deputy."