A RAPIST being hunted for a sex attack attempted to strangle his victim before leaving her for dead, police revealed last night.

The man is believed to be in his mid-20s, and police said they need to catch him as soon as possible.

The 21-year-old woman was forced to the ground and raped at about 2.30am on Sunday as she walked home from The Trades Nightclub, in Consett, County Durham.

She lay unconscious in Blackhill Park for an hour-and-a-half, before coming round, then ran to a cottage at the bottom of the park to raise the alarm.

Forensic samples recovered from the scene of the attack have been submitted to laboratories for analysis.

Detective Inspector Mick Nail, who is leading the inquiry, confirmed last night that an attempt had been made to strangle the woman before she passed out.

He said: "I believe she is lucky to be alive and we need to find the man responsible for this horrific attack as quickly as possible."

He also disclosed that a second woman was caught on security camera footage walking through the park alone, only moments before the 21-year-old was attacked, and was within yards of the spot where the rapist struck.

The woman, thought to be in her 20s, was wearing a light coloured jacket and dark trousers. Police said she might have vital information that could help track down the culprit.

A party of nine people also walked through the park at about the time of the rape.

The camera footage showed that the group, all of them young men, were involved in a series of minor scuffles, and at one point a punch was thrown.

But they all left together, apparently on friendly terms.

Det Insp Nail said: "I would like to speak to the mystery woman as a matter or urgency."

Anyone with information is asked to ring police on 0845 60 60 365, or to speak anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.