A woman fended off an attacker who persistently hugged her.

The 18-year-old was sitting on a bench in Chichester's South Pallant car park, outside the council offices, when she was approached by a man who first engaged her in conversation. He then hugged and kissed her.

She walked off, but he followed her through the streets, tried to talk to her and hugged her again. She finally shook him off and went into the flat of a friend in Charles Avenue.

The incident happened at about 9am on Saturday, June 21.

PC Ben Hitchman said: "If you were in Chichester town centre that morning and recall seeing a young blonde woman and a man in his fifties, together in the streets leading from South Pallant to Charles Avenue, we would like to hear from you.

"You can contact us via 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting serial 537 of 21/06."

A 58-year-old man from Oldham, Greater Manchester, was arrested later the same day in Chichester on suspicion of sexual assault. He has been bailed until August 18.