POLICE hunting a man who sexually assaulted two 11-year-old girls in Watford on Friday, April 7 are following a new lead this week.

A witness has reported seeing a man matching the description of the offender running away from the scene on the afternoon of the assault.

He was spotted running away from the A41 alongside the Abbey Flier railway line and a small industrial area towards Cow Lane (near Sainsbury's superstore in St Albans Road) at about 4.45pm. The girls were assaulted some time between 4pm and 4.30pm.

Police believe the man may have run either into Cow Lane or entered the Meriden estate via an underpass leading into York Way.

When seen he was running quickly, red in the face and breathing heavily. He was wearing jeans and a grey coloured top.

Detective Inspector Dan Meaney, who is leading the inquiry said: 'I'm urging members of the public to consider what their movements were on that day.

'To fix it in their heads, it was the day before the Grand National.

'If anyone believes they know who the offender is, they can speak in the strictest confidence to detectives.'

The man is described as white, in his late 20's or early 30's and about 5ft 10ins tall of medium build.

He had short brown hair and a couple of days' stubble on his face.

He was wearing dark blue jeans, a grey top and light brown boots.

Any sightings of this man or other information can be reported to the incident room at Watford Police Station on 01923 472035.