A WOMAN had food "rammed" into her throat after being dragged from her car during an assault in Salisbury.

Wiltshire Police say the 51-year-old was also pushed to the ground, and pulled across gravel during the incident in Churchfields Industrial Estate at just after 9pm on April 27.

Officers add that the attacker was known to the victim.

Earlier that evening, the victim and a man had been walking together near Sainsbury's, bought a pizza in Domino's on Fisherton Street, and then walked to her car, which was parked on the industrial estate.

Following the attack, a 47-year-old man, from Portsmouth, was arrested on suspicion of assault and released on bail – with a condition not to enter Wiltshire – while enquiries continue.

Now police are "urgently appealing" for any witnesses to come forward.

"This nasty, and sustained, assault meant the victim was struggling to breathe and had an injury caused to her face," said Det Con Matt Cable.

"It only ended when the woman was able to get away from her attacker.

"Although the assault happened in an industrial estate, there are several 24-hour-businesses in the area so we are hopeful that someone will have seen something that may help us with this investigation.

"Any detail, no matter how small, may be significant to us."

Anyone with information is asked to call 101 and quote crime reference number 54190040820.