DI Paul Phelps said he is not linking this assault with other attacks on women in recent months - but admitted there were similarities.

The 26 year-old woman was hit over the head with a bottle while walking home from work Hastings town centre on Thursday night/Friday morning at 1am.

The suspect was stood under a tree, and crossed the road to the woman, and said: "Excuse me," before striking her with the clear-glass beer bottle.

The man then ran off towards the town centre.

The woman suffered a deep cut above the right eye and has been released from the Conquest hospital after having stitches.

The attacker was described as white, 5ft 8ins tall, of stocky, muscular build, with short cropped brown hair. He was wearing a plain white, loose-fitting long sleeved t-shirt and jeans.

The following morning Hastings police and CID officers combed the area for clues - including the bottle, and possibly a cigarette butt if the man was smoking under the tree.

Several women have been victim to head-injury assaults in the last few months, with no apparent motive. Like the others, this woman did not have any of her personal effects stolen.

A teenage girl was hit on the head at The Ridge on April 23 this year, an elderly woman was hit on the head on a path linking Battle Road and Sedlescombe Road North on February 11, and there have also been several head-injury attacks on cyclists.

DI Phelps said: "Links are undetermined at this stage. We have had a number of assaults.

"On this occasion the guy spoke to the victim, whereas on other occasions he had not done. And we are looking at various different locations.

"But then they are all females, they are all head injuries.

"Our message is, if you know anyone that was wearing these clothes last night, call us at Hastings police. Someone is going to know who this person is.

"We appreciate there might be a conflict of loyalty, but you can call Crimestoppers anonymously."

Anyone who has any information about this incident is asked to contact DI Phelps at Hastings CID on 0845 6070999 or Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555111 quoting reference 63 of May 16.