A SCHOOLGIRL was seriously sexually assaulted last Thursday - and police are looking for witnesses to the incident.

Police said the assault on the Droitwich Spa High School pupil is believed to have taken place in the Briar Mill area between 9.15am and 10.45am - but could not be more specific about the nature of the attack, the time or the location.

However, police confirmed the incident did not happen on school premises and are believed to have cordoned off a wooded area opposite the Briar Mill school.

Headteacher Allan Foulds was reluctant to comment. He said: "The school is aware that the police are investigating an incident. Any further comments should come from the press office of South Worcestershire police."

Later on Thursday afternoon he sent out a letter to parents to allay fears. It said: "There is speculation that this event involved serious or even life-threatening injury. This is not the case."

Rumours had been circulating that the incident may have involved a stabbing but police denied this. On Friday, South Worcestershire police carried out 'anniversary checks' - going back to the area at the same time the incident had happened - in the hope of talking to anyone who may have seen someone acting suspiciously or who had other useful information.

DI David Bartlett, who is heading the investigation, said: "A number of uniformed officers will be in the Briar Mill area for a number of days as our inquiries progress."

Anyone who saw anything suspicious can call police on 08457 444888, quoting 60C/050505.