A SEX beast who dragged a woman into a woodland near to Bolton town centre and raped her repeatedly is being hunted by police today.

The attacker and his 23-year-old victim had been at a house in Bradford Street, The Haulgh, before they left late on Wednesday night to buy cigarettes.

As they walked along nearby Dorset Street towards Castle Street between 11pm and midnight, he dragged her in to a wooded area, which separates the road from the A666 St Peter's Way, and attacked her.

Police say the woman was raped several times during an hour-long ordeal before the man ran off.

The victim then raised the alarm with police.

Officers wearing white suits were carrying out a forensic examination of the scene yesterday and the area remained sealed off for much of the day.

Detectives today were hunting a man who has been named to them and have made an appeal for witnesses.

They are particularly keen to speak to anybody who saw a man and a woman who was walking in the area around the time of the attack.

A spokesman said: "Although the victim had been at a house with the man, it is not believed that they were close.

"She has been able to give officers a first name and inquiries are on going to trace the offender.

"We are keen to speak to anybody who was in the area at the time."

Anyone with information is asked to call Bolton CID on 0161 856 5755 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.