DETECTIVES hunting two rapists who attacked a 25-year-old North-East woman say they have traced a vital witness.

The terrified victim was attacked by two men who offered her a lift home after she had spent a night out in Middlesbrough.

The attack took place on the outskirts of Butterwick, near Sedgefield, on April 25.

Afterwards the woman was abandoned half-naked by the rapists who drove away.

Last night detectives revealed they had made a significant breakthrough after a vital witness came forward.

But they are still hoping to trace a taxi driver they think can help their inquiries.

The victim had been in several pubs and bars in Middlesbrough town centre on Sunday, April 25, spending some time with a woman named Helen.

Helen has now been traced and has provided useful information in establishing the exact whereabouts of the victim on Sunday evening.

Police now know that at 12.45am, the pair got into a taxi outside the Aruba club in Wilson Street, Middlesbrough.

The driver of the yellow and black cab told them exactly how much it would cost to get to Sedgefield, where the victim lives.

The two women did not have enough money on them and left the vehicle.

The pair separated and a short time later the victim was offered a lift by two men in a hatchback car near the Corporation Road taxi rank.

The car went down the A689, but later turned down a deserted farm track on the outskirts of Butterwick where the woman was raped by both men and left at the scene.

Detective Sergeant Jim Cunningham said: "I would stress the driver of the taxi is not implicated in any way with the assault which took place. We wish to speak to him purely on the basis that he may have information relating to our inquiries."

Police also now know the victim and her friend had visited the Chicago Rock Caf between 9.30pm and 10pm, before heading into Isaac Newton's and Flares from 10pm to 11pm and were in Aruba from 11.15pm.

The victim is now known not to have visited Jumping Jacks, as previously thought.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Newton Aycliffe CID on (01325) 314401 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.