Police hunting a rapist who attacked an 18-year-old girl in a train lavatory are turning to the Internet in an effort to find vital witnesses.

Officers hope students who were travelling on the Newcastle to Bristol service on Sunday, February 21, will pick up the electronic plea for help.

They also particularly want to speak to a woman passenger, aged about 60, who was sitting doing crosswords in the smoking carriage of the Virgin Cross Country train.

Detective Inspector Danny Snee, who is leading the hunt, said: "As this lady was sitting adjacent to the victim, she may have some important information."

Police are trying to trace and speak to all the 300 to 400 passengers, many of whom are thought to have been students returning to college.

The victim joined the train at Darlington at 5.33pm and the attack took place between York and Doncaster.

The train stopped at Durham at 5.17pm and York at 6.03pm.

Anyone with information is asked to call British Transport Police on 0800-405040.

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