POLICE are hunting for a man who raped a teenage girl at a beauty spot in Leigh.

The 14-year-old girl was walking alone through Astley Park when the rapist -- thought to be a man aged in his late teens -- approached her from behind. Detectives say the girl was thrown to the ground then raped.

The rapist then ran off, leaving her lying on the ground.

On Monday, as the girl recovered from her ordeal with her family, detectives appealed for witnesses and said the man must be caught before he strikes again.

Anyone with information about the rape at 8.30pm on Saturday should contact Leigh CID on 0161 856 7252 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

The girl, who has not been identified, was working with detectives today to compile a photographic image of him.

He is described as white, 5ft 10ins tall, of medium build with ginger or blond hair. He had a small earring in his right ear and a gap at the top and bottom of his front teeth.

He was wearing a red 'Nike Teen' baseball cap with a white peak, a white hooded top with 'Carbrini' on the front in blue writing, dark tracksuit bottoms with white stripes down the side and blue and yellow Nike Shock trainers.

Anyone with information about the rape at 8.30pm on Saturday should contact Leigh CID on 0161 856 7252 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

"She has been left extremely shaken by this incident but she has been working with officers to build up a detailed description of the man.

"If anyone can help identify him I would urge them to come forward. He must be caught."

Anyone with information about the rape at 8.30pm on Saturday should contact Leigh CID on 0161 856 7252 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.