Two women were subjected to a terrifying sex attack after being drugged by a gang of men while on a night out in Bridgnorth.

Police believe the women, aged 22 and 32, were drugged before being driven to Birmingham where they were attacked.

They have told officers they managed to escape and flag down passing motorists who raised the alarm.

Detectives investigating the incident said the friends had been enjoying a night out in High Town, Bridgnorth, on Thursday when they were targeted in what they believe was a planned attack.

While in The Crown pub, the women met three men. They then left the pub with the men at about 1am on Friday. The women were driven to the Great Barr and Perry Barr areas where they were attacked.

Detective Sergeant Mick Hinton, from Walsall CID, said: “These two women were subjected to a terrifying ordeal, where we believe they were given some kind of drug and then driven some distance before being sexually assaulted.

“The victims were slightly injured, but deeply traumatised by what happened to them and we urgently need to find this group of men who were responsible.

“We are deeply concerned by the nature of this assault and believe the men responsible may well have planned to carry out this kind of attack as they set out for the evening.”

At about 4.15am on Friday, one of the women managed to escape and stopped a passing motorist, who took her to a police station.

Her friend also managed to escape and flagged down a passing white van driver in the Sandwell Valley area at about 7am. The motorist took the woman to Sandwell Hospital, where she was able to call police.

Detectives are now keen to trace both of these people. The driver who stopped for the first woman was driving a burgundy car.

Officers are also keen to speak to four men who socialised with the girls in the Jewel of the Severn pub in Bridgnorth at about 9.30pm on Thursday.

Mr Hinton said: “While we are treating this as an isolated incident, we urge women who may be out for the evening to be vigilant and, as always, we urge people to be sensible about leaving drinks unattended.”

By Jon Ball