A fresh appeal for information is being made by police one week after a woman was subjected to a serious sexual assault.

The 27-year-old was attacked in Dalkeith, Midlothian, at about 3.45am last Sunday when a man approached her and forced her into a wooded area of land between Lauder Road and Wester Kippielaw Drive.

Police earlier said patrols were being stepped up in the town this weekend and officers are refreshing their appeal for information.

Detective Chief Inspector John Peaston said: "It has now been one week since this dreadful attack was carried out on a lone female who was on her way home.

"We have had an encouraging response from the public as part of our ongoing inquiries but I want to take this opportunity to again appeal to anyone who was in the area in the early hours of last Sunday and who noticed any unusual behaviour whatsoever to please come forward.

"I am especially keen to hear from delivery drivers, tradesman or anyone else who was travelling to or from work to contact police. There is a possibility that they hold information that may on the face of it seem very minor but placed in the bigger picture of an investigation has the potential to be absolutely crucial."

The man is described as white, aged about 20, about 5ft 7ins and of very slim build. He has short dark hair and was wearing tight fitted jeans and a shiny black hooded top.

It is thought he may have been at a local nightclub earlier in the evening and may have been thrown out.