A woman found with serious head injuries is believed to have been the victim of a targeted assault, police said.

The 44-year-old was found in a lane near Woodside Terrace in Elgin shortly after 5am on Thursday, October 26.

She was taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, where she is still being treated.

Police are now treating the incident as an assault and will revisit the spot on Thursday to conduct further enquiries.

Detective inspector Norman Stevenson said: "This has been an extremely complex case to deal with, especially as we have been unable to fully speak to the woman involved yet to establish what happened because of the extent of her injuries.

"Whilst we kept an open mind from the outset, as a result of our enquiries I am now content to say that this is being treated as an assault.

"That being the case, this would have been targeted and pre-planned given the early hour and the fact no one else is usually out in that area at that time."

He added: "I would like to reassure the public that there is no information available to us whatsoever to suggest that this was a random attack."

At the time of the incident the woman was wearing a light jacket, blue jeans and brown boots and was carrying a black handbag. She has fair hair and is of average build.

The assault occurred as the woman was on her way to get a bus on East Road and police are asking any passing motorists who have dashcam footage or who saw anything unusual to get in touch.

Mr Stevenson said: "Someone somewhere knows what happened that morning and I would urge them to look into their conscience and come forward."

Anyone with information can contact detectives in Elgin on 101.