A GIRL aged 12 was raped as her friend looked on helplessly.

The girls were playing in a field less than 200 yards from a main road near Westhoughton when they were confronted by the sex attacker.

He spoke to them both, before forcing one to the ground and raping her. He ordered her friend, also aged 12, to lie on the ground and not move.

Today Det Sgt Brian Langrish warned: "This man is obviously very dangerous. He must be caught.

"This girl has been subjected to a terrifying ordeal and has been left extremely traumatised."

Details about the attack at 6pm last Sunday have only just been released.

The friends, both from the Westleigh area of Leigh, were playing in a secluded field at the side of Hall Lee Brook, near Smallbrook Lane, on the border of Westhoughton and Leigh. They were approached by the man, who is aged in his late teens or early 20s. He spoke to them before bundling the girl to the ground.

Both girls ran to a nearby house to raise the alarm after the attack. They have been interviewed by special trained women officers and are also receiving counselling.

The attack has spread fear among parents in the area. Adrian Williams, of nearby Wigan Road, Atherton, said: "I used to have games of football in that field. But that was 40 years ago. Things have changed since then."

Another neighbour said: "I have children who are still too small to play out on their own, but if they were I would now think twice about letting them play around here."

Detectives want to speak to a man on a fluorescent yellow mountain bike spotted cycling towards Hindley. The attacker is white, medium build, with a prominent nose and freckles. He was wearing a light-coloured polo-shirt, blue trousers, a beige jacket, white trainers and smelt strongly of alcohol and cigarettes.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Astley Bridge CID on 0161 856 5740 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.