An 11-year-old girl was sexually assaulted by three young boys while a traveller funeral was taking place at Teddington Cemetery, police say.

The girl was walking through the cemetery with a friend at about 3.30pm on October 20 when they were approached by three boys all thought to be under 10 years old.

After her friend ran off and hid, the boys kissed the victim and assaulted her.

The attack stopped when a man cycling through the cemetery shouted at the boys who then fled.

The victim and her friend went home and reported what happened to their parents.

Police say it is believed the boys were at the cemetery for a funeral “being attended by members of the travelling community” that was taking place at the time.

The three boys are described as white, with short blond or brown hair, wearing shiny blue suits and white shirts.

PC Jamie Oprey, of Richmond CID, who is leading the investigation, said: "The victim has been left extremely distressed by this attack which took place in broad daylight in the middle of the afternoon.

"I am keen to speak to anyone who was in the cemetery at the time of the incident and could help us identify the boys responsible.

"I am also keen to speak to the man on the bicycle who intervened and stopped the attack - his information could prove invaluable in helping to find these boys."

Anyone with information should call police on 020 8721 5930 or Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555 111.