A WOMAN was recovering last night from an ordeal at the hands of a masked rapist who forced his way into her home and attacked her in the early hours.

The 31-year-old was alone at her home in Washington, Wearside, when she was awoken by a loud bang at her front door, at about midnight on Sunday.

The victim saw a figure through the glass panel and when she opened the door was confronted by a masked man.

The attacker held a sharp object to the side of her neck - possibly a knife - and ordered her not to scream or shout.

He then forced her upstairs, where he raped her, before fleeing the scene, in the Oxclose area of Washington.

Detective Inspector Gavin Hedley of Washington CID, who is heading the hunt for the man, said: "The victim has been particularly badly traumatised by the attack and is in deep shock.

"It beggars belief that someone can be attacked in their own home in this way."

Det Insp Hedley said the attacker was described as 5ft 7in, of medium build and was wearing a dark sweatshirt and balaclava-type mask.

He said the rapist may have scratch marks to the left side of his head, neck or jaw.

Det Insp Hedley said: "We're appealing to anyone with information to help us.

"One possibility we are investigating is that the suspect may have been watching his victim's house before the attack. It may be that someone saw a man acting suspiciously in the area before the incident at midnight."

Residents in the Oxclose area expressed their shock at the third night-time rape attack in nine months.

Last July, a 15-year-old schoolgirl reported that she had been raped as she crossed the footbridge over the A1231 between Blackfell village and Oxclose.

She was dragged into the bushes and attacked between midnight and 12.30am on Monday, July 2.

In December, a 17-year-old was raped behind Braefell Court, in Albany, Washington, after getting off a bus.

However, police are not linking the attacks.

Det Insp Hedley warned residents to exercise caution before opening their doors to anyone.

Anyone with information is asked to call the police on 0191-454 7555.