Police are appealing for a mystery ‘Good Samaritan’ who saved a woman being sexually assaulted to come forward.

The man intervened when a woman was attacked on Whitworth Street in Manchester city centre on Wednesday - but police have yet to speak to him.

The victim, a woman aged in her 30s, was walking down Whitworth Street in the early hours of yesterday when a man walked in front of her blocking her path and telling her she was beautiful.

She ignored him and walked past, but he followed her and grabbed her arm and hand.

Despite trying to push him away the man would not leave her alone and then went on to sexually assault her.

At this point the woman shouted loudly for help and the man identified as the good Samaritan, who was walking past, intervened.

He told he man to leave the woman alone and then waited with the victim until she was able to catch a bus.

Police believe this ‘Good Samaritan’ may hold crucial information to help identify the attacker, who struck between 5.20 and 5.40am yesterday.

They have now appealed for him to contact them.

The offender was Asian, aged 30, 5ft 9ins tall, quite muscular of medium build with wide shoulders and black hair, longer on top and swept over.

He wore dark jeans, a dark, zipped up jacket and smelt of alcohol.

Detective Sergeant Mark Astbury, from North Manchester division, said: “If this man had not come to the woman’s rescue who knows what might have happened next.

“We are appealing for him to come forward and speak to us - he could have vital information to help us find the man responsible for this attack.

“If you are the man who helped this woman on Wednesday morning or if you have any information about the incident, please contact as soon as possible.”

Anyone with any information is asked to call police on 0161 856 3522 or independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.