A WOMAN was chased and beaten over the head with a metal bar before being dragged into bushes and kicked.

The 22-year-old woman was walking along Kirkhall Lane towards the Asda supermarket in Leigh early on Saturday when a man rode past on a bicycle.

A police spokesman said the cyclist collided with the woman's friend and she shouted after him.

But the man then stopped, turned and ran back towards the women, who attempted to run away.

He caught up with the 22-year-old woman, who has not been named, and hit her over the head with what police think was a metal bar.

The vicious attack continued with him hitting her repeatedly until she fell to the ground.

The man then dragged the woman into the bushes and repeatedly kicked her in the body.

After jumping back on his bike the attacker then cycled off while the injured woman sought help from a nearby house.

Paramedics were called and the woman was taken to hospital where she received treatment for head injuries and bruising.

A 19-year-old man has been arrested following the incident.

He was released on police bail until November 24.