A TEENAGE girl was raped in an alleyway following a night out with friends.

The girl became separated from her friends on Wigan's Clarence Street and was approached by a man as she walked along an alleyway behind the Nirvana club.

Police said the attacker pushed her to the floor then raped her. The girl managed to struggle free and raise the alarm.

Det Sgt Clare Devlin said: "This was a frightening ordeal for the young girl and I would appeal to anyone who has information to come forward and help us with our inquiries.

"There would have been a lot of people in the area at the time of the attack and if someone did see something I would ask them to contact us. I would like to reassure the community that incidents of this type are rare and that extensive inquiries are being made to trace the offender."

Witnesses or anyone with information about the rape at 12.50am on Saturday can call Wigan CID on 0161 856 7254 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.