DETECTIVES hunting the rapist who attacked a teenage girl in the grounds of a disused church are to take to the streets tomorrow in a major stepping up of their investigation.

Teams of officers will be in the area around St Mary's Church, Manchester Road, Nelson, after dark talking to passers by to try and gain more information about the horrific attack on the 15-year-old girl a week ago.

The initiative was revealed after police announced that a 30-year-old Nelson man who has been questioned about the attack over the weekend has been eliminated from the inquiry.

Detective Inspector Ron Griffiths, who is leading the hunt for the man who attacked the girl in the grounds of the church, said police were still trying to trace three men who walked past the church while the attack was going on.

They were believed to have been carrying snooker cues.

Anyone who can help is asked to contact the police on 01282 863161. "We're concentrating on who may have seen the incident when the girl was first approached by her attacker in the town centre near the Lord Nelson pub," he added. "We have spoken to three men who were there and saw the man pulling the girl's hair but there may have been other people in the area at the time who haven't come forward yet and we are eager to speak to them.

"We are increasing our team of detectives and we're looking at all the people who fit the description of the attacker."

The girl was dragged into the churchyard, assaulted and raped after being followed through the town centre. Police believe her attacker may have approached other woman out walking on their own in the area and have appealed to anyone who has been approached to come forward.

The man officers are looking for is Asian, in his 30s, 5ft 9ins to 5ft 11ins tall with short dark receding hair. He was wearing a black or dark padded jacket and dark blue or black jeans.

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