A 32-year-old man has been arrested in  connection with an alleged sexual assault on an eight-year-old Dutch girl at a campsite in the Ardèche.

According to French media, the man had been seen at the campsite by eyewitnesses on Monday.

The man, who does not have a criminal record, is being held in the town of Largentière, French papers said. Largentière is some 18 kilometres from the campsite at Saint-Alban Auriolles where the attack is said to have happened. According to the Dauphine newspaper, he was actually arrested in Lyon.

French media reported on Tuesday evening that the girl had been attacked by an unknown man at around 3am. She was sleeping in her own tent next to her parents. He ran off when she screamed.

The Telegraaf says the girl has been able to help the police make a drawing of her attacker because she remembers his profile and specifics about his clothing.

The girl’s parents have made an official complaint of sexual assault. French police have not yet said if they have found any dna evidence.