BLACKPOOL Police are hoping town centre CCTV footage will help to bring two key witnesses forward following the rape of a 19-year-old girl in the resort last weekend.

The attacked occurred as the victim -- a local woman -- walked home from a night out at Rumours, Talbot Road, in the early hours of Friday, November 21.

She was befriended by the offender and and a young man and woman at the Rancho's takeaway, Market Street, at around 2.58am. The group began walking together towards South Shore before the two couples got separated in the Chapel Street area.

After walking across a car park opposite the Jaggy Thistle club, the pair continued until they reached the Key Fitness Gym car park on Singleton Street where the offender pushed the victim against a wall and raped her.

The CCTV images, taken from various town centre locations, feature the person who police believe to be the offender with the witnesses shortly before the attack took place.

The first image features the offender and the male witness walking along Bank Hey Street and Adelaide Street, close to Pricebusters.

The second image is a still of the female witness outside Rancho's, on Market Street.

Detective Constable Neil Fowler of Blackpool CID said: "We're not suggesting that the two people we're trying to trace had any idea of what happened between the offender and the victim.

"But it is entirely likely that the offender met up with his friend, and possibly the other witness, after the rape occurred.

"He may have then told the witnesses that the victim agreed to have consensual sex with him or he may not have mentioned it at all.

"Either way we are keen to speak to them to get a better understanding of the events leading up to and after the attack."

Both witnesses are described as in their late teens to early 20s. The female has shoulder length dark curly hair, of medium build wearing a skirt, top and jacket and carrying a handbag and a pair of shoes or boots.

The male is possibly of Asian origin, of slim build with dark, spiked hair, clean-shaved dark skin, wearing a light coloured shirt which appears to have a checked/diamond design.

Similarly the offender is thought to be in his early 20s, approximately 5ft 4ins tall, of slim build with short dark blonde hair, wearing dark jeans and a light coloured long-sleeve shirt with a distinctive design on the front.

The victim was taken to the Royal Preston Hospital where she received medical attention and counselling from specialist support workers and police.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or CD Fowler at Blackpool CID on 01253 604158.