DETECTIVES investigating an allegation of rape are appealing for a man who spoke to the victim to come forward.

Officers are carrying out enquiries into the incident, which allegedly happened between 2.30am and 3.15am on Saturday, October 6, in Sunderland.

The 25-year-old woman had been out in the city centre and left the Ling Sun Chinese takeaway on Vine Place around 2.30am.

She found herself in Prospect Row in Hendon at 3.15am on Saturday morning near the Old Welcome Tavern and knocked on a local resident's door in a distressed state.

Police are trying to establish exactly what happened to the woman between the hours of 2.30am and 3.15am.

The man police need to speak to is known to have spoken to the woman in the takeaway. He is described as being in his late 20s to early 30s, of medium build and with short brown hair. He was clean shaven and was wearing a blue long sleeved top and dark trousers.

Police have CCTV of the man which they will consider for release if they do not trace him.

Northumbria Police Detective Inspector Denise Clark said: "We know this man spoke to the woman in the takeaway and it's possible he has important information which will help us in our enquiries.”

The victim is around 5ft 6ins tall and has long dark hair. She was wearing a black lace dress with three quarter length sleeves, black leggings and black size 8 ankle boots.

Any witnesses, or anyone with information, is asked to contact Northumbria Police on 101 ext 69191 or to ring the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800-555-111.