A man has been arrested in connection with a 15-year-old rape case.

Detectives on Teesside made the breakthrough during a routine review of cold cases.

The man in his 30s, who has long-standing connections to Teesside, was arrested on Merseyside on Wednesday and police were questioning him last night.

The rape victim was 27 years old at the time of her attack and on her way to her car after an office Christmas party. She was raped at about 12.30am on the stairwell of a multi-storey car park in Stockton on December 18, 1989.

The attacker had approached her from behind at the car park at Stockton's Castlegate Centre, by The Swallow Hotel on the High Street, and dragged to the ground by her hair. She made a brave attempt to fight back but was punched and kicked until she was semi-conscious and then raped. Officers at the time described the 20-minute attack as; "particularly evil and nasty."

A major man-hunt involving 30 police officers was launched by Stockton Police and there was widespread publicity. However the public response to appeals was described at the time as "extremely disappointing."

The new investigation is being headed by detective superintendent Brian Dunn. He said: "We never give up. Cases like this are always reviewed on a regular basis and any new lead that is unearthed, no matter how small, is followed up."

He went on to say the victim was "holding up well." He said: "It is a very emotional time for her, she has to live through the whole thing again. I would say to anyone who has kept any secret about this for the last 15 years that now is the time to come forward. Think about the victim and what she has been through."

Police were unable to release the man's name or details of the lead that led detectives to his door yesterday. A description of the man issued at the time of the attack said he was "bright eyed" and aged about 20 with spiky or untidy hair. He wore a thick gold earring.

Anyone with any information is asked to call police on (01642) 302226 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.