A WOMAN in her 20s was sexually assaulted near Bournemouth Pier in the early hours of Monday morning.

Police are investigating the incident, which happened between the pier and the lifeguard hut sometime between 3am and 4am.

The victim had been sitting and talking to a man when he tried to kiss her and sexually assaulted her.

A 26-year-old Bournemouth man has been arrested on suspicion of sexual assault and is assisting officers with their enquiries.

Detective Constable Angela Chase, of Dorset Police, called for anyone with information to come forward.

“I am also keen to hear from anyone who spoke to a distressed woman in the area of the beach or the Lower Gardens in the early hours of this morning," she said.

"In particular, I would like to speak to a man with a white hooded top who was reported to have spoken to the woman involved.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police via dorset.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55180093492.