The man, who is in his forties, is in custody and helping Devon and Cornwall police with their inquiries into the incident in Netherton, near Newton Abbot, south Devon.

The arrest followed the recovery of a Vauxhall Cavalier car fitting the description of the vehicle used by the attacker.

The 48-year-old woman and her 17-year-old daughter were attacked as they walked their black labrador in a narrow country near Netherton.

The women's battle to escape from their attacker was described as "very brave" by Detective Chief Inspector Tony Carney, the man leading the inquiry.