A BURY woman was the victim of a vicious sex attack after getting into a taxi at the end of a night out in Manchester city centre.

The 31-year-old woman was driven to Trafford Park and subjected to an indecent assault by two men who had jumped into the vehicle before she was thrown out.

Detective Chief Inspector Jane Antrobus from Bootle Street CID said: "This was a particularly vicious attack and the victim has been left extremely traumatised."

The victim had enjoyed a night out in the city centre and was making her way home in the Deansgate area sometime after 12.45am.

As she reached St John's Street, she saw a queue of taxis and got into the back of a dark green saloon car, which she believed was a private hire taxi.

The car travelled along the road for a short distance and then stopped at which point two men got in and sat either side of the woman. The car continued towards Trafford Park where it is then believed the two men in the back of the car indecently assaulted the woman before throwing her out of the car.

The woman was then helped by a couple at approximately 2.45am who called for another taxi, which then took the woman home to Bury.

Det. Chief Insp. Antrobus added from Bootle Street CID said: "The woman was pushed out of the car and was abandoned in the Trafford Park area. A couple in the area fortunately came across the woman and helped her. We are particularly interested in speaking to this couple who are described as a white, stocky man and a woman.

"The woman had enjoyed a night out with friends in the city centre and thought that she was getting into a legitimate taxi to return home. The men took advantage of her and we are doing all we can to trace them. "

One of the men who got into the back of the car is described as Asian, quite tall, of medium build and with short dark hair. He had a smart appearance and was wearing dark clothing with a dark waist length zipped jacket.

The other man is believed to have a more scruffy appearance and be of a shorter and larger build. The driver of the car is also described as Asian with black hair and an unshaven appearance with stubble on his face.

Det. Chief. Insp. Antrobus added: "I would urge anyone who may recognise these descriptions to contact us.

"We are also keen for the taxi driver who took the woman from Trafford Park to her home in Bury to contact the police. We believe he is white and has greying hair.

"I would like to urge people going for a night out to take extra care when travelling home and to encourage them to either pre-book a licensed hire taxi, use a hackney cab or arrange for someone to collect them.

"Private hire cabs should not stop and collect people without them receiving a prior booking." "Anyone who has any information relating to this incident or who recognises the description of the offenders is asked to contact Bootle Street CID on 0161 856 3240 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."

Anyone who has been the victim of a rape or sexual assault can contact Greater Manchester Police's Project Nightingale. Trained officers are available to provide professional advice and guidance on how an investigation may proceed and the support services that are available.

Project Nightingale can be contacted at St Mary's Sexual Assault Centre on 0161 276 6515.