A WOMAN was subjected to a serious sexual assault in Stirling at the weekend, police have said.

The attack is said to have taken place at a property in the Linden Avenue area of the city between 3-4am on Sunday, September 15.

Officers said it had been "an extremely frightening ordeal" for the 19-year-old, but that she was able to give a description of the culprit.

The suspect is described as white, aged in his twenties, around 5ft 9ins tall and of slim build. He had short dark hair and was clean-shaven.

He was wearing a dark coloured t-shirt and dark coloured jeans.

The woman had been walking northbound on Burghmuir Road, towards the roundabout for Linden Avenue, when she was approached by a man walking towards her.

He engaged the woman in conversation and took her to an address where police say she was attacked.

She then left the address shortly before 4am and asked for help from a resident of Muirend Road who in turn contacted police.

Detective Inspector Yvonne O'Rourke, from Forth Valley's Public Protection Unit, said: “This has been an extremely frightening ordeal for the woman who continues to assist us with our inquiries and is being provided with support from specialist officers while we carry out our investigation.

"We have high-visibility patrols being conducted in the area and are utilising all resources at our disposal to thoroughly investigate this very serious incident.

“I am appealing for anyone who saw a woman wearing a red dress with a yellow t-shirt over the top in the areas around Burghmuir Road and Linden Avenue between 3am and 4am on Sunday morning to contact police as soon as possible

" Likewise, anyone who may have seen the suspect, or a man matching his description, in the early hours of Sunday morning, should inform police immediately.

“I would ask any drivers in the area who may have footage of the woman and the man on dash-cam devices to check their systems and provide this to police as soon as possible.

“I would urge anyone who has any information relevant to this inquiry and who can help us identify and trace the suspect to contact police immediately.”

Those with information are asked to contact Forth Valley's Public Protection Unit via 101, quoting incident number 0854 of September 15.

Alternatively, an anonymous report can be made to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.