A sex attack victim is helping detectives compile an image of the man who tried to rape her near a busy seafront.

Police aim to release the picture shortly in the hope more people will help the inquiry into the attempted rape.

Detectives were last night following up leads from members of the public.

The man pounced on the 49-year-old married victim as she tried to run away in the Holywell area of Eastbourne at 7pm on Friday. Police have been helped by detailed descriptions of her attacker and of potential witnesses she saw in the area. The victim, who lives in Eastbourne, was being supported by relatives and friends.

Detective Inspector Paul Phelps of Eastbourne CID, who is leading Operation Quill, said: "We have had a number of calls thanks to appeals in The Argus and other media and we are exploring those lines of inquiry."

The woman was walking west along Western Parade when she noticed a man in a shelter with a thatched roof. He looked at her, smiled and followed her.

At this point she saw a couple, a black male and white female, in another shelter.

The victim also remembers seeing a male jogger, described as of Arabic or Turkish origin.

She then branched right towards an alley known as Crow's Nest Walk, between Western Parade and King Edward Parade. As she left the public area she started to run.

The attacker caught up with her, pulling her to the ground. As he tried to rape her he was disturbed by a couple who walked into the twitten and he fled north.

The attacker was white, about 5ft 10in, of slight build with a thin oval-shaped face, distinctive pale green eyes and short, fine hair swept back.

He wore grey trousers with white flecks and a white round-neck top with a distinctive swirly pattern on the front.

Anyone with information should call the Operation Quill incident room on 0845 6070999 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.