DETECTIVES are investigating several names passed to them by members of the public in the hunt for the York hoodie rapist.

Detective Constable Craig Wilson said a number of names have been put forward following appeals for information about the shocking attack in St Oswald's churchyard, Fulford.

His comments came one week after the Evening Press unveiled a £2,000 reward for information leading to the capture and conviction of the culprit.

DC Wilson said the high-profile campaign had focused attention on the police e-fit of the attacker.

He said: "We have had several names of potential suspects. We have got to make inquiries and then possibly go and speak to them. As far as we are concerned, it is still early days. There is a lot of work still to be done. No two separate people have given us the same name."

Posters bearing an e-fit of the suspect have been put up in First buses and on Evening Press billboards across the city.

Officers believe the image, which shows a man aged between 20 and 25, about 6ft tall, with short dark hair, is an excellent likeness.

The attack occurred at about 3.45am on Sunday, August 21, near the junction of Main Street, Fulford, with Hesling-ton Lane.

After the attack, residents packed St Oswald's Church to pray for the victim, as others said they feared a second attack.

Chris Goss, chairman of the Yorkshire and Humber Crimestoppers Trust, said he was "deeply concerned" about the incident.

He said: "We hope this reward will spur someone into action."

First bus company commercial manager Peter Edwards said: "We've put the posters up in the prominent position at the front of the bus and I'm sure it will spark someone to come forward. It is an effective way of getting a message across to a lot of people across the town."

The rapist 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.

Anyone with information should phone York Police on 0845 6060 247 or Crimestoppers, for free and in confidence, on 0800 555 111.

Updated: 11:06 Thursday, September 08, 2005