Police are appealing for witnesses after a young woman was raped as she walked through Cowley last night.

The 19-year-old told police she was grabbed as she walked along Between Towns Road at about 8.30pm and attacked in the park behind the John Allen Centre and Cleveland Drive.

The attacker then ordered the woman to withdraw money from a cash machine near the Wetherspoons pub in Between Towns Road while he waited nearby.

But the woman managed to get help from the door staff at the pub and called police.

The attacker is described as 6ft tall, wearing a dark jumper with multicoloured horizontal stripes and a baseball cap. He was aged about 16 or 17 and was riding a silver bicycle.

Police said the woman was left extremely shaken by the incident and officers had cordoned off the scene.

Det Sgt Russell Simpson said: "We are keen to speak to anyone who saw or heard anything at about 8.30pm yesterday in the area.

"There were two young Asian men near the park at the time who saw the silver bike on the pavement and they may have information to help the police with their enquiries. I urge them to come forward.

"There was also a man, aged in his 60s, who was outside the kebab shop who could have seen the offender cycle away.

Anyone with information should call police on 08458 505505 or speak to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

A youth has been arrested on suspicion of rape and robbery and is currently in police custody.