A dog walker ended up in hospital after a man sprayed a substance in her face during a “frightening” attack.

The 45-year-old woman is said to have been left badly shaken by the incident, which happened in Edinburgh on Saturday.

The victim was walking with her pet on a footpath near Skelf Bike Park in Bowmont Place when she was approached by the unknown man at around 6.15pm.

After a brief exchange of words about the dog, the man sprayed the substance, which may have been CS spray, from a canister into the woman’s face.

She then felt unwell and was helped by two other people.

The woman later went to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary and has now made a recovery from the attack, Police Scotland said.

Officers are appealing for information to help trace the suspect.

The man, who left in an unknown direction, is white with a slim build.

He is around 5ft 10in, with red hair, a red beard and a spotty complexion. He is thought to speak with a German accent.

The suspect was also wearing a dark navy beanie hat, a heavy dark jumper and dark trousers. He was carrying a brown paper bag and a black rucksack.

Detective Inspector Graham Grant said: “This was a frightening attack on a female dog walker who has been left badly shaken by this incident.

“Fortunately the attack has not had any lasting effect, however, the consequences could have been much more serious.

“We are eager to trace this man as soon as possible.

“I would urge anyone who was in the Bowmont Place area in the early evening of Saturday April 20 and saw this man or anything else suspicious to contact us.

“I would also ask any other dog walkers who may have had any interactions with this man to get in touch with us and report their encounter to police.”