E-fit: Police have released an e-fit of the suspect

Police investigating the brutal rape of a woman in the car park of John Lewis in Manchester have released an e-fit of the suspect.

They have also released a CCTV image of a potential witness who they hope will be key to solving the case.

The attack happened in the car park of the high street store on the evening of Friday August 28.

In CCTV footage, a person, thought to be a woman, walks towards the store along the pathway on the far side of the overflow car park.

Detective Inspector Roger Edwards, from GMP's Stockport division, said: 'Since this attack was reported to us, we have been doing everything in our power to try and trace the man responsible.

'We have been offering all the support we can to the young lady that was raped, who is understandably devastated by what has happened to her.

'However, she has courageously been working closely with police to help us with our enquiries as much as she can and we now have an updated evofit of the suspect that we are issuing to the public.

'Through CCTV enquiries, we have also identified a possible witness we would like to speak to, that was in the car park at the same time the attack took place. The individual, possibly a woman, is wearing a light coloured top and dark trousers and carrying what appears to be a handbag.

'I would like to reassure this individual in the CCTV image that you are not in any kind of trouble, but we are eager to speak with you as you may have vital information that could assist our investigation.

'This attack is one that has shocked the local community and we are grateful for the widespread support and calls we are receiving from the public to help us try and catch this offender.'

The attacker is described as an Asian man, around 40, medium build, with black hair, heavily pock-marked and open-pored skin on his face, with a thick black mono-brow, wearing black jogging bottoms.

Looking for clues: Police hope the person shown in this CCTV footage, taken around the time of the attack, can help bring the rapist to justice