AN e-fit has been issued of a man police suspect of raping a 15-year-old girl in an alleyway in Little Hulton.

The attack on the schoolgirl happened at 10pm on January 11 in Wynne Street, which connects Hilton Street and Cleggs Lane.

The man punched the teenager up to seven times in the face before dragging her to a car park off the alleyway.

She then ran to her boyfriend's house to raise the alarm.

Police are now appealing to anyone who has information to come forward.

The rapist is white, between 30 and 40 years old, about 5ft 6in tall, big build and with a large belly.

He was wearing a black woolly hat, a black bomber type jacket and dark tracksuit bottoms.

Det Ch Insp Clare Devlin said: "I understand that the news a 15-year-old girl has been attacked and raped by a stranger will cause considerable unease and distress in this community.

"I want to reassure residents living and working in this community that we will act on any information to catch this man and high-visibility patrols will be in the area both to provide a reassuring presence but also to help catch this man.

"In the interim, I would urge parents to advise their children to stick together, keep to well-lit areas and avoid taking shortcuts where possible."

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.