Students heard a teenager screaming for help as she was sexually assaulted near a bus stop.

The 19-year-old was attacked close to student accommodation on Higher Cambridge Street in Hulme.

Police say the victim was approached by an unknown man, who spoke briefly to her, before launching his attack.

The man is described as Asian and aged in his 30s or 40s.

It is understood a party had been held in nearby Trinity Court – a mix of mainly student accommodation and young professionals – on Saturday night running into the early hours of Sunday morning.

Residents at Trinity Court reported hearing a woman screaming in the early hours. One student, who asked not be named, said: “It woke me up. I just thought it was an argument, It sounded like it was coming from the bus stop.

“I feel bad now that I did not go out.”

Laura Sharley, 22, a third year student at Royal Northern College of Music, said: “It is bad that something like this has happened.

“When I first came here there was a spate of attacks on young women and students.

“I definitely won’t be going out late on my own.”

Emmanoul Vardas, 20, a mechanical engineering student at Manchester Metropolitan, said: “I only realised what had happened when police came this morning. It is a big shock that it could happen in the open on quite a busy road.

“Usually, you would think it would happen in alleyways or a park.”

Another resident said: “It is so, so scary. I feel so unsafe living here now and I am here for three more years.

“I am going to make sure I am home early in the evenings and don’t go out on my own. You hear about stuff like this happening but it is frightening when it happens so close.”

Detectives have interviewed the victim and are making further enquires.

A GMP spokesman urged anyone with information about the incident, which happened at about 5.30am yesterday, to contact them on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555 111.