A woman was assaulted with a knife as she tended to grave in a cemetery in Halesworth over the weekend.

On Saturday evening at around 6.15pm, the woman - who was in her 40s - was looking after a grave in the Holton Road cemetery when a man approached her from behind, grabbing her by the shoulder and pulling her backwards.

The man, who is described as white and aged around 30, then scratched the woman's right cheek with a small knife, which she had been using and he had picked up.

The woman was then able to fight off her attacker, fleeing towards the gate leading into Loam Pit Lane.

The suspect is described as being 5ft 10in tall, of a slim build and with mousy-coloured short, straight hair.

He was wearing light blue jeans, a black zip-through hooded top, black fingerless cycling gloves with a reflective strip and black-framed aviators with mirrored lenses.

Police have appealed for any witnesses or people with information regarding the assault to contact East CID at Lowestoft Police Station on 101, quoting reference number 58322/17.

Alternatively, if you wish to remain anonymous, contact independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.