A dog walker has been attacked by a man who was hiding in bushes in an attempted sexual assault in a West Lothian park.

The 47-year-old was walking her dog in Blaeberry Hill Park, Whitburn at around 7pm on Friday, November 30, when she was confronted by the man who grabbed her from behind and placed his hand over her mouth before trying to drag her towards the bush where he had been hiding.

Following a short struggle the woman broke free and the suspect made off in the direction of Mansewood Crescent.

The victim believes the man was waiting for her as she did not hear him on the path beforehand.

The suspect is described as a white man in the twenties or thirties.

He is around 5ft 6" with a slim to average build and was wearing a dark hooded top, dark trousers and woollen gloves.

Detective Inspector Paul Batten of Livingston's Criminal Investigation Department said: "This was a frightening and potentially very serious attack.

"We are eager to trace the man responsible as soon as possible. I would ask anyone who was in the Blaeberry Hill Park area of Whitburn on the evening of Friday, November 30, and saw anything suspicious, to get in touch with us."

"I would also ask anyone who has a CCTV camera in the Blaeberry Hill Park area to contact us and allow officers to view any relevant footage."