A TEENAGER'S screams for help were ignored when she was dragged into an alley and raped, police revealed last night.

The 19-year-old was attacked as she walked home through Darlington.

Police say her cries were ignored, just as another woman's pleas for help fell on deaf ears as she was raped in a park in another North-East town only days earlier.

Last night, police appealed for anyone with information to contact them urgently.

The Darlington attack happened on Saturday as the victim walked along Neasham Road - a busy residential area - on her way home from the Escapade nightclub, shortly before 1am. Details were not released until last night.

The teenager, described as small and slightly built, was alone as she walked through the town centre, past the police station, along part of Yarm Road and along Neasham Road.

She was wearing a brown fur jacket and long skirt. Police said she was grabbed from behind as she walked past an alley running parallel to Neasham Road and Brunton Street.

She was forced to the ground, sexually assaulted and raped, despite trying to fight off her attacker and screaming for help.

Police said her attacker ran off into Brunton Street.

Two men found the victim in a distressed state and alerted police.

Although they are not linked, the incident has parallels with an attack in Consett, County Durham. People ignored the cries of a 21-year-old woman who was raped and sexually assaulted, before her attacker attempted to strangle her.

The woman was attacked as she walked through Blackhill and Consett Park, on her way home from a night in the Trades nightclub.

Revellers in the area ignored her screams as she was subjected to the rape and attempted murder.

The victim has since spoken of how she feared she would die during her ordeal.

Detectives in Consett have said the response from members of the public to that appeal has been poor, and that they are disappointed and puzzled by the lack of information.

Last night, Darlington police said they had launched a major operation to track down the second rapist, and appealed for the public's help.

Acting Inspector Dave Wilkes said inquiries were being conducted in the area, and closed-circuit television tapes in the town were being studied.

He said: "We would like to hear from anyone who saw the victim on her way home, or saw anyone acting suspiciously or behaving unusually in the area, particularly around Brunton Street between 12.50am and 1.30am."

He added that the weekend attack was not being linked to other sexual assaults, but a review was being carried out of incidents in Darlington during the past three years.

The attacker is described as being about 5ft 6in, of medium build, and clean shaven. He had dark hair and a scruffy fringe. He was wearing a blue, hooded jacket top, blue jeans and white trainers.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Darlington CID on 0845 60 60 365, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.