A young student was raped after a night out in Manchester city centre.

It’s believed the 19-year-old woman was attacked in Fallowfield at some point between midnight and 4.30am on Wednesday, October 7, police said.

Detectives are now looking for a key witness who met the victim at a bus stop on Wilmslow Road that night.

He walked her home in the direction of Sainsbury’s and McDonald’s, away from the town centre, but police have not been able to find him.

He is described as white and skinny, around 18 or 19 years old, with brown messy hair styled into a quiff. He was wearing black skinny jeans and a black leather jacket.

Officers believe he could also be a student.

Det Insp Damian Simpson, of GMP’s Serious Sexual Offences Unit, said “This witness could hold vital clues to what happened to this young woman, so it is very important that we speak to him. We are doing everything we can to identify the attacker.

“We are appealing for this witness to come forward but anyone else who may have any information should get in touch. You may think your information is trivial, but it could be vital to our investigation, so please call us and tell us what you know.

"We would like to reassure the public that we believe this is an isolated incident.”

Anyone with information should call police on 0161 856 1911 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.