A SENIOR detective leading the hunt for the brutal Billinge Woods rapist today insisted: "We can still catch our man."

The claim follows an intensive new push to solve the crime yesterday when officers carried out DNA tests of possible suspects and interviewed people at the popular beauty spot.

The results of the high-profile operation were today being collated.

One of the largest inquiries by Lancashire police in recent years began after a 22-year-old woman was dragged into bushes and attacked as she walked her dog at around 1.30pm on Sunday, October 8.

The rape, close to the footpath between Killiards Lane picnic area and Witton Park, shocked even experienced officers with its brutality.

The victim was tied up and stripped before being repeatedly assaulted during a 90-minute ordeal. Up to 60 officers at a time have devoted around 30,000 man hours to tracking the rapist in the six months following the attack. More than 2,000 lines of inquiry have been followed up, more than 700 people have been interviewed and samples have been taken from 400 men as officers try and find the attacker using DNA technology.

A reward of up to £5,000 is still on offer through the police Crimestoppers freephone line for information leading to the rapist's conviction.

Acting Detective Chief Inspector Neil Smith is still determined to press on with the investigation.

He said today: "This is still a major inquiry and we are not going to close it down.

"I still firmly believe this horrible offence can be detected and we will pursue every line of inquiry possible in an attempt to bring the offender to justice." Detectives are working through a list of previous sex offenders in the area and have already ruled many out of the investigation.

They have also looked at similar offences committed throughout the country but have so far been unable to establish any links with the Billinge Woods attack.

And Mr Smith believes it is still quite possible the offender is someone living locally.

Detectives believe the two letters thought to have been sent by the rapist to officers in the weeks following the attack were prompted by local media coverage.

Mr Smith said: "I think it is significant that we have had no more letters since the initial media interest in the attack died down.

"The letters were written using cuttings from national newspapers but I think there is a strong possibility that the rapist is a local man. "It is possible that he is living a relatively normal life at the moment. Somebody may know him. It may have even crossed their mind that he could be the man we are looking for but they have discounted it.

"It is vital that they let us know of their suspicions."

The victim of the attack received help from a trained police officer in the weeks after the rape as she tried to rebuild her life.

Mr Smith said: "She is obviously still recovering and it will be a long time before she gets over what has happened.

"But she is back at work and trying to lead a normal life under difficult circumstances."

The attack was featured on BBC-1's Crimewatch programme in November and a number of people came forward with information as a result.

But officers are still trying to trace a maroon Vespa-type scooter seen in the picnic area around the time of the attack.

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