A RAPE victim has described how she thought she was going to die when her attacker started strangling her.

Police said the 21-year-old suffered an assault during which she lost consciousness for about 90 minutes.

Detectives have made an appeal for help to catch the attacker, and yesterday the victim made an emotional plea to local people.

The woman, whose identity is not being released, spoke in faltering tones as she recounted the incident early on Sunday, in Consett, County Durham.

She said: "I thought, when he was strangling me, that was it."

She told a Press conference at Durham Police Headquarters that the attack had wrecked her life.

Formerly a fun-loving person, she said: "I don't feel like me any more. I feel like somebody else."

Yesterday's news conference was called as police expressed their growing concern that a man who had befriended her before the attack had not come forward - even though it has been stressed he is not a suspect.

The victim described how her ordeal followed a night out with a friend.

She said: "I went to a nightclub and came out of it, and was hanging around outside for a while.

"I then decided to walk home because there was no one I knew.

"I went into the park at the top entrance to walk through the park.

"There was somebody else in there. I remember his eyes. They were very big and round and . . . the stare. He said something, but I am not sure what it was.

"He attacked. Pulled me down. I was screaming and I kicked him lots of times and kept screaming. I remember him strangling me and it was as if I was falling asleep."

Detective Inspector Mick Nail said there was growing concern that the friendly escort, who sat on a bench in Blackhill Park and chatted to her for about 15 minutes shortly before the attack, had not come forward.

The attacker is described as in his early 20s, of medium build with dark hair, a local accent, and staring eyes.

Anyone with information is asked to call 0845 60 60 365, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.