The victim was making her way home from Zebra's nightclub around 4 a.m. on Sunday when she was attacked in Robert Street and subjected to a serious sexual assault.

Trinity Baptist Church was cordoned off yesterday while forensic teams gathered information, and officers have visited town centre pubs to check their CCTV coverage to track down the man responsible.

The man sought by police is described as being in his late 20s or early 30s and olive-skinned, possibly Mediterranean in appearance.

He is around 6ft tall with muscular forearms and a slight paunch. He has short hair, spiky on top and possiby gelled, and was wearing a white T-shirt and black jeans. He spoke with an accent, possibly Italian.

DI Derek Jones, from Nelson CID, said: "It is possible this man was in Zebra's on the night and I am appealing for anyone who feels they may know this man to get in touch, even if they wish to remain anonymous."

Anyone with information can contact DI Jones on 472618 or call Crimestoppers, anonymously and in confidence, on 0800 555 111.