POLICE have released an e-fit of a bogus taxi driver who indecently assaulted a woman during a one-and-a-half hour ordeal.

The 20-year-old woman was attacked on Sunday morning after she flagged down a car she thought was a taxi at the junction of Normanby Road and Middlesbrough Road, in South Bank, near Middlesbrough.

She asked to be taken to Grangetown but realised something was wrong when the Asian driver missed the turn-off.

He assaulted her before dropping her off in Grangetown more than an-hour-and- half later, at 4am.

Detective Sergeant Dave Turnbull, of South Bank CID, said the victim was "extremely distressed" by the attack. He said: "It was an isolated incident, but obviously it does cause us concern.

"We'd like to remind people that it's better to book taxis or make certain you are getting into a proper taxi. Private hire vehicles should not be stopping to pick people up anyway."

The attacker was wearing a mustard-coloured shirt with buttoned down collar, black trousers and black shoes and looked between 26 and 28 years old. He was driving a dark, four-door Vauxhall Astra-type car.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on (01642) 302626 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.