INVESTIGATIONS into a serious sexual assault near Canford Heath over Easter are continuing, police have confirmed.

A Bournemouth woman in her 20s was subjected to a terrifying ordeal in the early hours of Easter Monday.

The attack took place on heathland sandwiched between Warburton Road and the Nuffield Industrial Estate.

It is understood the victim was left with severe bruising and black eyes following the brutal assault.

Though no description of the attacker has been released and no arrests have been made, Dorset Police said they were still exploring lines of enquiry.

“Detectives investigating this attack continue to follow up a number of leads,” said a Dorset Police spokesman.

“We are awaiting the results of forensic tests which may take a number of weeks.”

Police received a report of the attack at around 7am on Monday.

Later that morning, a detailed search of the patch of heathland began, involving up to 20 police officers.

Police spent the next two days conducting the search, which also involved forensic teams.

A police spokesman stressed they were hunting for evidence and not a suspect during the search.

Residents expressed their shock at the incident on land often used by children to play on and so close to five of Canford Heath’s schools.