THE emotional scars suffered by teenager Tara Jeffries following a horrific nightclub 'glassing' may heal in time.

But the physical scars, which bear the hallmarks of the brutal attack, could remain with her for ever.

And the 17-year-old's anger is compounded by the fact that seven months after the incident, which happened inside Bury's Ronnies on the Rock, her attacker still remains at large.

But this week, detectives released fuzzy CCTV footage of a woman they want to talk to in connection with the serious assault which happened on Saturday, April 24, when Tara was 16.

She recalled: 'This woman threw a drink over my friend and when I looked at her, she just reacted. She grabbed hold of my head and smashed the glass into my face.

'At first, I didn't realise what she had done to me. I was in shock and didn't know I was actually bleeding.'

Tara was rushed to hospital after sustaining a slash wound to the right side of her neck and a two-inch gash to her forehead which has left her with permanent scarring.

'At Fairfield Hospital, I had stick-on stitches and the following morning I went to Wythenshawe Hospital to have a plastic surgeon insert a special stitch on my face. This was to minimise the number of future stitches I would require. I also had eight stitches put into my forehead.

'The scarring I'm left with is very noticeable. I've a scar on my forehead and another running from my jawline to my neck. I could have plastic surgery, but it's too expensive.'

The attack also brought emotional trauma for the teenager, who lives in Duckworth Street, Bury. 'I don't have the confidence that I used to have because I'm conscious of the scars. I've got a boyfriend but I don't go out any more. In the future, I might do so again.'

Tara, who works at a Bury hair salon under a Modern Apprenticeship scheme, is hopeful that one day the woman who 'glassed' her will be arrested and convicted.

'I still have a lot of anger because she's not been caught. After she attacked me, a bouncer took hold of her but once outside he let her go. She was with a friend and had also been in a fight with another girl.'

The woman was described as white, aged 19, 5ft 7in, of average build with long straight brown hair. She was wearing a white mini skirt and light-coloured top.

Detectives are hoping that this week's release of CCTV footage will lead to a breakthrough in their inquiries.

Detective Sergeant Simon Aston of Bury CID said: 'This was a very serious attack which took place at a busy time in Bury town centre. We are sure that someone will recognise the woman in the picture and we would like to speak to her in order for her to assist us with our inquiries.'

Anyone with information should contact Bury CID on 856 8150 or ring CrimeStoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.