A Swiss student on a two-month stay in Eastbourne was snatched from a town centre street in an early morning abduction.

The 19-year-old woman was dragged into the back seat of a dark saloon car by two men who pulled up alongside her near the traffic lights at Eastbourne Railway Station.

One attacker tried to remove her jacket and cardigan during the 15-minute assault, which ended when the woman punched him and jumped out of the car.

The victim, who is studying English, was unsure where she was but managed to gain directions to Eastbourne police station despite being dazed after the attack, which happened at about 1.30am on Thursday.

Detective Constable Costin Bonell, leading the investigation, said: "The courage of this young woman in a country and area which is unfamiliar to her is to be commended.

"By fighting back she prevented something potentially serious from happening."

The man in the back of the car was white, about 40, with short, spiky, greying hair and a moustache.

He was quite tall, of medium build and was wearing dark jeans and a dark top.

Little is known about the driver, who the victim said was "quite young".

The dark saloon car had leather seats.

Anyone with information should call East Downs CID on 0845 6070999.