A 14-year-old girl from the Silsden area was subjected to a serious sexual assault at a popular Yorkshire Dales beauty spot.

She and two friends -- also 14 -- had accepted a lift in Silsden from three young men to Bolton Abbey on Monday afternoon.

The victim was attacked when she went for a walk across a field with one of the men.

Acting Det Insp Pat Twiggs, of North Yorkshire Police, said: "This was a nasty attack on a young girl who was vulnerable on account of her age.

"Physically she was not seriously hurt, but she was left extremely distraught by her ordeal.

"She is at home with her family and has been offered full access to police and agency support services.

"I am keen to stress to people in Silsden that they should not be alarmed -- this was not a predatory snatch or abduction. But I would take this opportunity to remind young girls and women not to get into cars with people they do not know, or are not well acquainted with."

Following the assault -- near the Cavendish Pavilion -- the men drove off in their red Y-registered Renault Clio, leaving the girls behind.

Police are appealing for anyone who was in the area between about 5.30-6.30pm to contact them.

They are particularly keen to hear from a woman who may have passed the man and girl as they walked across the field, and an elderly couple who were sat in a gold Toyota at the pavilion car park.

Acting Det Insp Twiggs added: "We would like to speak to anyone who might have spotted the Renault Clio, or the man and girl walking together. Members of the public may have seen the couple but not had cause to think there was anything untoward."

The girl is blonde and was wearing a white skirt and top. The man is white, in his early 20s and has tattoos on his body. He was shirtless and was wearing dark trousers.

Anyone able to assist should phone the police on 01756 793377 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.