DETECTIVES leading the hunt for a brutal rapist have re-issued their appeal for witnesses.

The woman is still said to be severely traumatised four days after the horrendous attack.

The 22-year-old woman was punched in the face before being dragged into a secluded grassed area and subjected to the ordeal.

The incident happened in the Duke Bar area of Burnley in Colne Road, opposite Lee Street, at 10.45pm on Saturday night.

She was approached as she waited at the bus stop. The man tried to befriend the unsuspecting woman before punching her and leading her into Marls Court, Pheasantford Green.

Police say they are still trying to trace a girl seen talking to the suspected attacker shortly after the incident. A spokesman for Burnley Police said: "We haven't had any more witnesses come forward since initial witnesses .

"We still urgently need to speak to the girl, seen by a witness talking to who we believe could be the attacker. We have reason to believe he remained in the area for quite some time after the attack and would appeal to anyone who thinks they may have seen him to contact us.

"We would urge anyone who may have seen anything suspicious and has not yet come forward to get in touch."

The attacker is described as an Asian, aged 18-19 years old, 5ft 9ins to 5ft 11ins, with black hair shaved at the sides, with a muscular build and a chubby face. He was wearing a black baseball cap, a navy sports jacket and dark tracksuit bottoms.

Contact CID on 01282 472144 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.