POLICE have launched a manhunt after a Crewe woman who lost her handbag and mobile phone was raped as she tried to get home.

The 27-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was attacked by a man in a house in the Manor Road area of Nantwich in the early hours of Sunday.

The woman had been to Gregory's nightclub in Castle Street. Police say she left the club alone having lost her bag and phone and walked past the Crown Hotel on to High Street and along to the taxi rank by Woolworths.

After trying to get a cab for 10 minutes she was approached by a man who had been standing nearby with three other men. He offered to take her to his house to call a taxi and she agreed.

The victim, her attacker and his friends walked along Swine Market and turned into the alleyway next to Somerfield supermarket.

The pair left the group and continued past the swimming pool on to Manor Road where they turned into a side street.

A police spokesman said: 'The man took her into a semi-detached or terraced house with a UPVC door, which had a black Vauxhall Corsa-type vehicle parked on the driveway.

'He locked the door and forced her upstairs as she screamed

and shouted to alert neighbours.

'The victim was raped and a short time after the man drove her in the Corsa to her home in Wistaston.'

The offender is described as white, in his mid 20s, around 6ft tall and of slim, athletic build. He wore light blue jeans and a white T-shirt with a black stripe along the sleeve which reached partially across the chest.

He had light brown hair which was short at the sides and spiky on top, stubble on his face and spoke with a South Cheshire accent.

Gregory's general manager Phil Ball said customers should always leave with friends and added that staff could always help people get home.

Police are asking: nDid you see the man and woman walk away from town?

nWho were the group at the taxi rank and were you among them? nDo you recognise the vehicle description? nDid you hear a disturbance in the Manor Road area? nDo you recognise the offender? nIf you can help contact Crewe Special Investigation Unit on 01244 613333 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.