A RAPIST broke a 19-year-old woman's jaw in a vicious attack in Leigh.

The teenager was pulled into an alleyway and raped shortly after leaving Barbarella's nightclub with a man in the early hours of Sunday morning.

The rapist, described as having a distinctive tattoo on his left shoulder, hit her repeatedly breaking her jaw.

After leaving the nightclub at 2am, the woman and the man with her turned right into Spinning Jenny Way. They walked towards the bus station, then the man started to punch her and dragged her into an alleyway.

The alarm was raised by a passer-by who saw the victim in distress.

The woman was taken to Wigan Royal Infirmary suffering from facial injuries, but was later transferred to Manchester Royal Infirmary where she is currently receiving treatment.

Detectives have the attack "despicable."

They warned women in the town to be vigilant. Det Sgt Gary Ashurst said: "This was a horrendous attack on a young woman who had been enjoying a night out in Leigh.

"She has been left with terrible injuries and is extremely traumatised by her ordeal.

"There would have been a number of people walking around Leigh town centre at the time of the attack, as the clubs and pubs shut.

"I am convinced that someone will have seen something which can help us. We need to find this individual so we can take him off the streets."

The attacker is white, of large build, aged around 25, with dark and shaven hair.

He also has a distinctive tattoo on his left shoulder and one of a woman half-smiling, half frowning on his stomach.

He was wearing a dark blue Ted Baker top and dark coloured trousers.

Anyone with information for the police should call 0161 856 7252 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.