POLICE are hunting an attacker who dragged a 16-year-old girl into a garden.

The terrified youngster's screams woke residents in Grindsbrook Road, Radcliffe, who confronted the attacker and chased him away.

The incident happened at 11.30pm on Sunday, close to the junction of Ainsworth Road and Higher Ainsworth Road.

The teenager was heading home when she saw a man walking towards her. He spoke to her before grabbing her by the throat and dragging her into a garden. He then sat on top of her as she screamed for help.

Detective Sergeant Duncan Heywood, of Bury's Operational Police Unit, said: "The offender told the victim to keep quiet, but she continued to scream.

"Fortunately, the owners of the garden were alerted to the girl's screams and they managed to chase off the man. The girl was in a very distressed state but uninjured."

Detectives want to speak to witnesses to the attack or anyone who may know the identity of the attacker.

The man was white, in his late 20s, 5ft 11ins tall and of medium build with a shaven head and "bulging" eyes. He was wearing a navy blue T-shirt, dark trousers and had a bracelet on his left wrist.

Anyone with information should contact Whitefield CID on 856 8248.