POLICE have appealed for help in tracking down a man who sexually assaulted a woman in Devizes Market Place.

The 72-year-old victim was shocked but unhurt after the attack, which took place outside the HSBC bank shortly before 11am on Tuesday.

She was walking her black Labrador dog when she was approached by a man.

The victim, who has asked not to be named, said: “He came up and starting talking to me, telling me he had a chocolate-coloured lab.

“He told me he was a retired lorry driver and lived about four miles outside Devizes.

“All the time he was talking his hands were fidgeting around his crotch area. He started babbling, so I started to move away. Then, without any warning, he lifted his hand and grabbed my left boob. His hands looked filthy. I was more surprised than offended.

“I spoke to a woman at the cashpoint machine and she said I ought to call the police. We both looked round for him but he had disappeared.

“It was such a shock. I could hardly believe it happened.”

The man is described as thin, wearing glasses and with deep creases down his face. He was wearing a dark blue donkey jacket and a hat.

Insp Matt Armstrong, of Devizes police, said: “This is a very disturbing incident and we are keen to find this man before he offends again.

“Devizes is a very low crime area and this sort of thing happening in broad daylight in the middle of town is quite concerning.”