CCTV footage has been seized by detectives hunting a rapist who attacked a schoolgirl in broad daylight as she walked through a park.

The attacker covered the 15-year-old girl's head with a blue jumper before dragging her into secluded woodland.

Officers, who have stepped up patrols in Hampden Park, Eastbourne, said today they were viewing CCTV images taken across the town.

They also revealed that the victim, who had been walking to a relative's home after class last Wednesday at 3.30pm, had given a better description of her attacker.

They are also sifting through information from more than 30 calls from the public, following appeals for information.

Detective Inspector Martin Sapwell, leading Operation Plume, said: "We have received a number of positive leads as a result of our public appeal last week.

"I'd personally like to thank everyone who has called us so far and urge others who were in the park last Wednesday afternoon to do the same.

"We've seized CCTV footage from across the town which could become crucial as the investigation continues."

Mr Sapwell urged businesses with CCTV in the Decoy Drive, Brassey Avenue-Parade, Kings Drive and Cross Levels Way areas to contact the police.

He said: "It is important for us to be armed with the footage that might show the offender on the outskirts of the crime scene.

"This man must have been in the area before he targeted his victim. Someone must have seen him acting suspiciously on the outskirts of the park between 2.30pm and 4.30pm last Wednesday."

The girl had been hauled off a footpath leading to Roseberry Avenue and led about 60 metres into secluded woodland.

Her attacker spoke to the girl, from Eastbourne, as he marched her into the woods before subjecting her to what police said was a horrific ordeal.

The victim, wearing her school uniform, was left in the woods while the man escaped with her Nokia 8310 mobile phone.

Afterwards, she staggered from Hampden Park in an extremely distressed state, prompting several people to approach her asking if she needed help.

The attacker is described as white, between 5ft 8in and 6ft tall with a husky and a local accent. Officers are also looking to eliminate a man seen running across playing fields close to the crime scene between 3.30pm and 4pm.

He was white, about 5ft 10in tall with short, dark hair. He was wearing dark-blue jogging bottoms, a dark tracksuit top and white trainers.

Anyone with information should call Sussex police on 0845 6070 999 or Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555 111.