WITNESSES are being urgently sought by police following an attack in which a 22-year-old woman said she was raped in a lay-by near Winchester.

The attack, which happened between 2.30am and 3am on Monday, left the victim extremely distressed, said detectives.

Police say they want to talk to anyone who may have seen the woman in Southampton earlier in the evening, where she was picked up by a man, or any driver who may have seen a red car parked in the lay-by on the A34 where she was assaulted in Winnall.

They also want to talk to a couple who gave the woman money to use a phone after she approached them in Southampton asking for change for a £5 note.

The woman's attacker is said to be white, aged in his 40s, 5ft 9ins, with dark brown, slightly greying hair.

He had a hooped earring in his left ear, and spoke with a Scottish accent.

Det Insp Dave Smith said the woman, from Oxfordshire, was trying to get a train back home from Southampton Central station, but was unable to and walked towards the Onslow Road, Beavois Valley part of the city after midnight.

After a chance meeting with the man, she travelled with him in his car towards Winchester, where she was assaulted in the lay-by on the A34, between the Winnall roundabout and the junction with the A33.

Anyone with information can contact Winchester CID on 0845 045 45 45, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.