Police hunting a rapist who subjected a young woman to a terrifying attack in Telford today offered a £10,000 reward for information leading to his arrest and conviction.

Detective Inspector Steve Tonks, who is leading the rape investigation for Telford CID, announced the reward as officers renewed appeals to catch the culprit.

The attack happened at about 5pm on August 11 as the victim, a woman in her 20s, was making her way towards Randlay from Stafford Park.

She was walking along the footpath between the A442 Eastern Primary and the railway line and was about to cross the red and white footbridge over the Eastern Primary when the man pulled her into a wooded area close to the railway line and raped her.

Mr Tonks said: “Although initially we appealed for information about this incident with reference to a serious sexual assault, I can confirm that the victim was raped.

“I am confirming this detail so that anyone who may be withholding information about this case is left in no doubt about quite how serious this attack was.

“We hope this fact, and the reward we are now offering for information that leads to a conviction in this case, acts as an incentive for more people to come forward with information that may assist our investigation.

“A team of officers remain dedicated to this case and we will once again be distributing posters and leaflets, displaying the artist’s impression of the offender we released last month, across Telford over the next few days in the hope that people will come forward with new information.”

Mr Tonks said detectives were keen to speak to a man, thought to have been wearing red shorts, who overtook the victim on a bicycle.