A YOUNG woman was subjected to a horrific sex attack in Leigh.

Police are trying to trace a witness, who may be a taxi driver, who picked up the victim in a car, shortly after she was assaulted.

He then drove her to the Highlands area of Leigh, where he dropped her off in the early hours of Saturday morning. She then called police.

Detectives at Southend CID believe the driver may remember the victim because she was in a distressed state, although it is not clear if he knew she had been assaulted.

She was wearing a black dress and was in her mid-twenties. The driver was described as being of slim build, wearing glasses and aged in his forties.

Police could not say where the attack happened, or if it was at an address or at the roadside.

Dave Clift, secretary of Southend Taxi Drivers’ Association, said he would do his best to find the taxi driver who helped the woman.

He added: “There’s only a select few who work in Leigh of a night and I’m one of them. If the police have a time and a place, all the cars are data-logged, so the company can pull back all the movements of the cabs.”

Mr Clift said cab drivers working in the area do their best to ensure young women get home safely after a night out.

He added: “We always make sure these young girls get home – 99 per cent of taxi drivers won’t leave until the young lady walks through the front door safely, especially if they are drunk.

“If they’ve got any fears they may have been attacked, we call the police.”

John Bastin runs the SOS Bus, which cares for revellers who come unstuck in Southend town centre at night. He offered some important safety advice as the nights draw in and people look towards planning Christmas parties.

He added: “Make sure you’re going out with a friend and not just an acquaintance, because if you go with your friends they will look after you and stay with you wherever you’re going. That’s our advice to anyone – male or female.

“Make sure you’ve got enough money, make sure you’ve got enough credit for your phone, and always let people know where you’re going.

“Even think to phone home to say you’re on your way.”

If you were the driver of the car, or have any information about the sexual assault, call Southend CID on 0300 3334444.