TWO crucial witnesses are being sought by police investigating a serious sexual assault in York city centre.

Detectives want two men seen on Coney Street at around 1am on Monday, March 3 to come forward, after a young woman was seriously assaulted near Skeldergate Bridge.

The attack happened just after 1.30am that Monday morning.

The two men police want to find walked along Ouse Bridge, past Tesco Express, down the steps near the Slug and Lettuce to Kings Staith, then along the riverside past The Lowther and St George's Field car park, towards the Blue Bridge.

The first man is white, around 6ft tall, and was wearing a dark hat with a lighter bobble and writing on the front. He had a hooded military style jacket with the hood down and fastened to the chin, and was possibly wearing jeans.

The second man is also white but slightly shorter, has short dark hair and was wearing a dark waist length jacket, lighter shirt, possibly jeans and dark smart shoes.

The Major Crime Unit's Detective Chief Inspector Allan Harder said: “If you match the description of either of the witnesses, I urge you to come forward straight away as you may have vital information which could help this investigation".

“I am also keen to speak to anyone else who was in the Skeldergate Bridge area at the time of the incident and has not yet already contacted the police, to do so.”

A 23-year-old man arrested in connection with the assault remain on bail while police enquiries continue.

Anyone who can help officers with this enquiry should call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask for York CID, email MajorCrimeUnit@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 5551111, quoting reference 12140034199.