A "hoodie" who is being hunted after a young woman was raped in a leafy churchyard.

York Police are investigating the attack which occurred in Fulford in the early hours of Sunday morning.

At 3.45am on Sunday a lone female was walking along Fulford Road, York, in the direction of York city centre when she was approached from behind by a man.

He pulled her into St Oswald's Churchyard where she was subjected to what police described as a serious sexual assault.

Today the Evening Press issued posters bearing an e-fit impression of the man being hunted.

The rapist is described as being white, aged between 20 and 25, about 6ft tall with short dark hair, shaved at the back. He was clean-shaven and well built. He had dark eyes and clear skin. His nose looked as if it had been broken at some point.

He was wearing black trousers and a black hoodie top with a T-shirt underneath.

The victim, who is in her early 20s, was wearing distinctive clothing - teddy bear pyjama bottoms, a black T-shirt and training shoes.

Today the police said they would like to talk to any witnesses who drove along Fulford Road between 3.30am and 4am to see whether they hold any vital information.

In addition, detectives said they would like to speak to anyone who has seen a man acting suspiciously in the Fulford Road area, or anyone who believes they recognise the man concerned.

A police spokesman said: "This was a serious attack on an unaccompanied female in the vicinity of a main road and in the interests of public safety, the police would like to arrest the offender at the earliest opportunity.

"This attack is not believed to form part of a pattern and such attacks are rare in York. Nevertheless the police would urge women to take measures to prevent themselves being vulnerable to attack such as using vehicle transport to return home in the early hours and wherever possible being accompanied by friends, especially if walking home."

Anyone with any information is asked to phone York Police on 0870 60 60 24 7.

Updated: 08:47 Saturday, August 27, 2005