A woman was seriously sexually assaulted in Edinburgh on Saturday night.

The 33-year-old had been out in Leith and was walking home by Bonnington Road and Anderson Place when she was attacked just after midnight.

The man stopped the woman and asked her for directions to Ferry Road before ushering her onto the path leading to the Water of Leith walkway, where he assaulted her.

The suspect left the area and the woman was left to get help from a passing motorist who contacted the police.

The suspect is described as white, between 18 and 24 years old, around 5ft 8ins tall with a slim build with short brown hair that was close cropped at the back and sides, dark stubble and prominent dark circular earring in one or both ears.

In addition the male was wearing a camouflage patterned hooded jacket, blue jeans and trainers.

He had earphones and was wearing a rucksack on his back and was carrying or using a skateboard.

The suspect is thought to have an accent, possibly Irish, although this is not certain, and he seems not to know Edinburgh well.

Detective Chief Inspector Martin MacLean said: "This was and remains a terrifying ordeal for this woman.

"Specialist officers are providing her with support and assistance while detectives conduct a rigorous investigation into this incident.

"I would urge anyone who recognises the description of the suspect, or who was in or around Bonnington Road, Anderson Place or the Water of Leith walkway at Anderson Place on Friday evening into the early hours of Saturday morning and remembers seeing anything suspicious to contact us immediately.

"The suspect is distinctive as, unusually for that time in the morning, he was seen both on his skateboard and carrying it.

"I also now know that our suspect hailed a black hackney taxi on Ferry Road shortly after the attack at around 12.15 a.m. on the Saturday morning, and headed westwards.

"The taxi driver might remember the male carrying his skateboard, and I urge that taxi driver to come forward.

"I appeal to anyone with any information they might think is relevant to this investigation to get in touch."

Those with information can contact the Public Protection Unit in Edinburgh via 101.