A PROSTITUTE was raped, punched and hit over the head and face with a bottle in Bolton town centre.

The 36-year-old from Bolton was beaten while on the roof of a building at the back of Newport Street.

Detectives were today sifting through CCTV footage and forensic evidence in their search for the man.

The vice girl was attacked as police continued the hunt for the killer of 21-year-old prostitute Danielle Moorcroft who was found battered to death in a car park behind Bolton Community College last month.

Detectives last night were not directly linking the two.

The woman attacked yesterday told officers she was beaten-up and raped by a "punter" who she met in Nelson Square. The pair walked along Bradshawgate, Deansgate and Howell Croft North, before climbing up a fire escape on to a building next to the Octagon Theatre. She was then assaulted.

The woman was taken to the Royal Bolton Hospital with cuts and bruises after the incident at 1.10am on Friday.

She has not been named but is from Bolton.

The man is described as being a 6ft7ins tall white male with a Liverpool accent in his late 20s to early 30s. He had short brown hair and dark clothes.

The scene was cordoned off throughout yesterday as scenes of Crime officers searched for clues. It is believed she managed to walk to nearby Bradshawgate where she raised the alarm.

Police say she is in a "comfortable" condition.

The man leading the attack Det Insp Mo Shafiq, of Bolton CID, said: "This was a terrifying incident for the woman and we are treating it very seriously.

"It appears she went with the man voluntarily and that her trust was betrayed."

Anyone with information is asked to telephone Crimestoppers on free phone 0800 555 111 or Bolton police on 0161 856 5653.