The mother of a schoolgirl who had to jump into a canal to escape a sex attacker has praised her "incredibly brave" daughter.
The 15-year-old was walking along the Union Canal path near Ratho outside Edinburgh after getting off the X12 bus from the city at around 5.30pm on Wednesday when a man approached her from behind and grabbed her.
When she turned round, the man was exposing himself so she struggled free and ran back towards Ratho.
The man was following her so she jumped into the canal to escape him and he then ran off. After a few minutes, she got out of the water and called the police.
In a statement issued through police, her mother said: "My daughter is OK. She is being incredibly brave and I hope the police catch the man involved before he hurts someone."
The girl got off the bus at the stop near the Bridge Inn. Lothian and Borders Police are checking CCTV in the area to identify the man.
He is white, in his early 20s, around 5ft 9in and slim.
He has short, dark, spiky hair and was wearing a grey cardigan with buttons, loose jeans and was carrying a white shoulder bag that may have had a Gola logo on it.
Detective Inspector David Storey said: "This has been a terrible experience for the girl involved. Although she escaped any injury, she has been understandably shaken as a result.
"She has, however, been able to provide us with a good description of the suspect and so I would appeal for anyone who may recognise him to get in touch. Our inquiries are at an early stage but we believe the suspect may have also got off the bus at Ratho behind the girl."
