Police have launched a manhunt after a teenage girl was raped in an alley near a school in Greater Manchester last night.

Officers were called to Wardle, Rochdale, on Wednesday evening and searched fields in the area overnight.

The victim, 16, was walking through an alley off Birch Road at around 5pm when she was pushed to the ground by a man before being raped.

Detectives said the attacker is believed to be 'black or of dual heritage', 5ft 8in tall, of medium build, and aged between 30 and 40.

Police have launched a manhunt after a teenage girl was raped in an alley near a school in Greater Manchester last night. Today officers are combing the area for evidence (pictured)

Police at the scene today. The victim was walking through an alley off Birch Road at around 5pm when she was pushed to the ground by a man before being raped

He was wearing blue jeans and smelt strongly of aftershave.

A cordon is in place on Green Meadow and Noble Meadow, near a school, Wardle Academy, while police investigations continue, as reported by Manchester Evening News.

The girl is not a student at the school.

Around 10 PCSOs were seen stood at the cordon this morning with several CSI vans parked nearby.

Neighbours said officers were seen searching nearby fields and woodland overnight.

Supt Richard Hunt, of GMP's Rochdale district, said: 'This was a very distressing incident for the young girl.

Officers searching the scene today which is near Wardle Academy, attended by 1,200 pupils

'Her welfare is a top priority for us, and we have specialist officers currently supporting her as we try to establish the full circumstances surrounding this incident.

'I would like to reassure the public that we are doing all we can to trace the person responsible and bring them to justice and you will see increased patrols around the area in the coming days.

'This incident took place at a relatively busy time of day, and I am appealing for any witnesses or anyone who have seen something suspicious to contact us.

'Even the smallest detail could be of the utmost importance in helping us with our enquiries.'