A MANHUNT has been launched after a 13-year-old girl was 'sexually' assaulted on her way to school in Oldbury.

The teenager was walking in Barnford Hill Park, at around 7.50am on Friday (April 5) when she was groped by a man.

Her distraught mum - who cannot be named for legal reasons - posted on Facebook that the suspect called her daughter 'sweetheart' and 'gorgeous' and asked her where she was going before grabbing her in a 'bear hug' from behind and groping her breasts.

She said: "she struggled free and he was spooked by a dog walker."

Adding: "I urge parents to be vigilant and warn their own kids."

The suspect is a white man in his late 30s to early 40s.

A spokesman for West Midlands Police said officers are trying to trace the female dog walker.

He said: "We're appealing for witnesses after a girl reported being assaulted by a man as she walked to school through an Oldbury park.

"The 13-year-old was near football pitches in Barnford Hill Park, Moat Road, on Friday morning when she was approached from behind by a man and grabbed.

"She ran off and raised the alarm later with teachers; the girl was not physically hurt but understandably distressed.

"The suspect is described as a white man aged in his late 30s to early 40s, around 5ft 9ins tall, skinny to medium build, clean shaven, with short brown, thinning hair.

"He was wearing black jeans and a black jacket with a logo at the time.

"We’d like to hear from anyone who was in the park that morning, from 7.50am till just after 9am, and saw a man matching the description.

"We understand a female dog walker was using the park at the time and we're particularly keen to hear from her as she may have seen something.

"There have been no other recent recorded incidents of this nature in the park but we’d always urge people to be vigilant and to report any suspicious behaviour to the police.

"Anyone with information is asked to call the Child Abuse Investigation Team at Smethwick police station on 0121 626 1622; please quote crime reference number 20SW/82020V/19."