THIS is the man police want to speak to about a brutal sex attack on a woman as she cycled to work.

The suspect bought a packet of cigarettes at a petrol station and it is believed he then walked out and indecently assaulted the 37-year-old woman.

The incident took place at about 5am on the A580 East Lancashire Road in Swinton. The woman only escaped when her screams disturbed a neighbour who put on his house light and called police.

The man pictured on CCTV is thought to be local as he arrived on foot at the Total Garage near the junction of the dual carriageway and Worsley Road.

Moments earlier he had passed the woman who was pushing her bike along the main road towards Manchester.

Det Sgt Julie Connor said: "He had glanced at her as she passed him. Then he went into the petrol station, before leaving and jogging to catch her up.

"As she walked past an alleyway which leads to Sheringham Drive she was grabbed from behind and pulled to the ground."

A witness to the attack said: "I was woken up by loud screaming and crying. I looked through the window and saw someone on the ground next to a push bike.

"The woman was screaming. It was horrifying when the police told me what had happened to her. I hope they catch him."

The incident happened on Friday November 21.

The attacker was white, 50 to 55 and 5ft 7ins, with short white or grey hair and of stocky build.

He was clean shaven and was wearing a black waist-length jacket with reflective patches on the upper arms, black gloves, and black trousers.

Det Chief Insp Jon Chadwick said: "Motorists who may have been travelling to work may have seen the offender walking along the street.

"Whoever carried out this attack is dangerous and we need all the help we can in tracking her attacker down."

Anyone with information can call CID on 0161 856 5351.