DETECTIVES have released this E-fit image of a man suspected of carrying out a brutal sex attack on a mother who was kidnapped in her car and forced to drive to Birmingham.

A manhunt was launched by two police forces following the abduction around 7.25am last Friday (Sept 21)

The 45-year-old married local woman was driving her black Hyundai Lantra towards Bury when she was held up in traffic on Bury New Road, Whitefield, shortly before the McDonald's restaurant.

Her 100-mile ordeal began when an Asian man, aged between 20 and 30, climbed into the back of her car and threatened her. It is believed he was holding a weapon of some kind.

The woman was ordered to go back to the M60 causing her to make a U-turn through the central reservation to head back towards the motorway.

Detective Inspector Jane Antrobus, of Whitefield CID, described it as "an extremely nasty attack" and branded the man "very dangerous". She said: "Someone must have seen this man climb into the back of the car as it was stopped on the A56, or a motorist driving towards the M60 may have seen the woman performing the U-turn through the central reservation.

"It is very unusual for anyone to see this at that time of the morning. The woman is very, very traumatised, she has had a terrifying ordeal.

"We are putting a lot of resources into this inquiry together with other forces in West Midlands and we are hopeful of catching the attacker."

The woman's terror ride took her past the RAC control centre on the M6, before taking the M5 junction.

He told her to leave the motorway at Junction One or Two and forced her to drive to a secluded area surrounded by trees and fields where he sexually assaulted her.

Police said he then forced her to rejoin the M5, before getting out of the car on the motorway hard shoulder and fleeing up an embankment.

The shocked woman drove on for another ten minutes before pulling over and alerting police on her mobile phone.

Police officers from Greater Manchester travelled to the West Midlands to interview the victim, who has since been released from hospital.

Her attacker was around 5ft 7ins, slim with short dark hair with a side parting. He had a small, neat moustache, was wearing a dark sweatshirt and spoke with an Asian accent.

DI Antrobus added that they could not establish whether the man was local but said he seemed to have a good knowledge of the Birmingham area.

She advised lone female motorists to be on their guard after the attack and said: "Although this was a serious incident, I would like to reassure women that this kind of offence is extremely rare.

"But as a general safety rule, it is important that female motorists keep their doors locked while in standing traffic, and are alert to their surroundings."

Anyone with information should contact Whitefield CID on 856 8243 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.