DETECTIVES believe two rapists who attacked a woman after offering her a lift home may have struck before.

The men raped a 25-year-old woman after driving her to a deserted farm track at Butterwick, near Sedgefield, County Durham, in the early hours of April 26.

Detective Sergeant Jim Cunningham, who is leading the investigation, told The Northern Echo: "I find it very difficult to believe that this is the first time they have attempted something similar to this.

"It seems very strange that you have got two men at that time of night driving around Middlesbrough. For what other purpose were they there?"

He said the pair may have other victims, who have never contacted police.

His comments came as officers put posters around Middlesbrough town centre showing an e-fit of one of the men.

They are being displayed in buses, taxis, bars and nightclubs, and urge anyone with information to come forward.

The victim and another woman visited the Chicago Rock Caf, in Wilson Street, between about 9.30pm and 9.50pm, on Sunday, April 25.

They then went to the Isaac Wilson until closing time and moved on to Aruba (formerly the Royal Exchange) in Exchange Place.

At 12.40am, they tried to hail a taxi without success and became separated.

The 25-year-old, from Sedgefield, is believed to have got into a black four-door hatchback with the two men in the vicinity of the UGC cinema, in the Corporation Road area.

The driver was of Asian appearance, in his mid to late-30s and about 5ft 10in. He had short dark hair and wore a Puffa-style jacket. His passenger was white, of similar age, and had crew-cut hair.

Anyone with information is asked to call Newton Aycliffe CID on (01325) 742572 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.