A vulnerable teenage girl was raped after a stranger offered her a lift home from a night out in York.

The 16-year-old victim was subjected to the terrifying ordeal in car park between Law College and the Knavesmire racecourse after she accepted a lift home from a stranger.

Police have released an e-fit of the man they are hunting, and they are now warning people to take extra care when going home at night.

Detective Superintendent Lewis Raw, of North Yorkshire Police, said: "This was a serious assault on a girl who was in a very vulnerable position and in no position to prevent this attack."

He said the victim had left Toffs nightclub, in Toft Green, at 11.36pm on Sunday and walked down Toft Green.

She then headed down George Hudson Street towards Micklegate when a man in a car called to her and offered her a lift home.

The car, which police believe was a small silver hatchback saloon, was parked in George Hudson Street, facing in the Micklegate direction.

The girl accepted his offer and got into the car.

Det Supt Raw said the man then drove the car left at the lights, over Ousegate Bridge, through the city centre and up Bishopthorpe Road.

But instead of taking the girl home he drove to the car park, where he subjected her to "a serious sexual assault".

After the assault he drove the girl to a location near her house and let her go. She went straight to her home and immediately reported the attack to her landlord.

The car park has already been examined by detectives looking for clues. Det Supt Raw said the forensic inquiries were still being pursued.

The police have also collected CCTV evidence from cameras in the city centre, which is still being examined.

The man is described as being in his mid twenties, of a Mediterranean or Asian appearance, clean shaven with dark spiky hair.

Det Supt Raw said: "The police would request all members of the community who may have any information to get in touch.

"In particular, we would seek witnesses who may have seen the vehicle or the victim in the city centre at the relevant time to contact us. This kind of attack is, mercifully, rare in York and the police devote considerable resources to detect such crimes.

"At all times, we would advise members of the public to take precautions so as to avoid this type of attack.

"This would involve not accepting lifts from strangers and avoiding walking home alone, especially under the influence of alcohol.

"We would like members of the public to look at the e-fit picture and think if they recognise the man or know a man of this appearance who has a car similar to that described.

"The police need to find this man to protect the public."

Anyone with information should phone North Yorkshire Police on 0845 60 60 247, quoting incident number 1061420010.

Updated: 08:28 Saturday, May 27, 2006