A woman of 80 was sexually assaulted by a pervert who crept into her bedroom at a care home in Hove.

The man attacked the frail pensioner as she slept before indecently exposing himself to her.

A care worker alerted by the disturbance raced to the woman's room but he was threatened and pushed down a flight of stairs by the attacker, who then fled.

The elderly victim was left badly shaken by her ordeal but police said today she was physically unharmed.

The carer, 23, was bruised badly and twisted an ankle in the fall and had to take time off work.

Police today released a description of the suspect who broke in to the rest home on September 7.

But they have refused to give any further details of where the attack took place in their appeal for witnesses.

Detective Sergeant Clare Shiel said: "This was very upsetting for the elderly lady. The care assistant was in the right place at the right time."

The clean-shaved intruder is said to be white, 32 to 40, with short blond hair.

He wore light-coloured round metal glasses, a black sleeveless bomber jacket and black trousers.

Anyone who recognises the description of the pensioner's attacker was today asked to call Det Sgt Shiel on 0845 6070 999.