POLICE say a teenager suffered a "horrendous ordeal" when she was sexually assaulted by a man as she walked home during the early hours of the morning.

Police are appealing for information after the 16-year-old was attacked in Kilmarnock on Saturday at 2am.

The girl had been making her way home with a group of three men, when one of the men separated her from the group and assaulted her within an archway close to John Finnie Street and Nelson Street.

Following the assault the man joined the other two men who were walking towards the town centre. The woman reported the incident to police a few days later.

Police are seeking information on the suspect and the two other men who were present.

The suspect is described as a white man with a local accent in his early 20s. He is of medium height and build with brown hair. He was wearing a black jumper with the sleeves pulled up to his forearms, dark blue jeans and brown shoes/boots.

Detective Inspector Stevie Wallace, of Kilmarnock CID, is appealing for information. He said: "This was a horrendous ordeal for a young woman to have to experience and it is critical that we trace this man as soon as possible.

"I would like to reassure the community that our officers are doing everything they can to find the person responsible. Incidents like this are extremely rare in our town.

"However we need help from members of the public who may have vital information to assist with the investigation."