At about 4.10am on Sunday 14 October 2012 a 29-year-old woman was picked up in Wigan town centre in what she believed was a taxi.

The driver took her to her choice of destination. She asked how much the fare was, he refused to take any money and sexually assaulted her.

She screamed and got out of the car. He drove away in the direction of Beech Hill Avenue.

The offender is described as a white man in his 50s, of medium build with short dark hair and a slight moustache. He wore a t-shirt and spoke with a Wigan accent.

Detective Constable Kevin Byrne from Wigan CID, said: “The victim was terrified throughout the ordeal, she managed to fend him off and raise the alarm by screaming.

“Initial enquiries would appear to show that the car that picked her up was not a taxi.

“I would urge people to take a good look at the images and if they recognise the car and description of the offender to contact us straight away.

“The victim is still shaken by what happened that night and I would ask anyone who may have been in the area and saw something take place to phone police.

“I would also urge women in particular to only use taxis booked through an operator or taken from a legitimate taxi rank.”

Anyone with information should phone police on 0161 856 7248 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.