THE man leading the hunt for a Worcester rapist has revealed the attacker may have shaved off his distinctive long hair.

Det Insp Graham Smith said he could not rule out the possiblity that the man, who raped a woman in broad daylight, had changed his appearance since the attack.

But he said detectives were confident their description of the man was good.

A 21-year-old woman was attacked as she walked to work along an alleyway in between Aconbury Close and Leopard Rise, Ronkswood, at 9.15am on Friday, May 18.

She has since been able to provide police with a good description of her attacker and helped create an e-fit.

He is described as white, in his early 20s, between 5ft 8in and 5ft 10in tall, thin with shoulder-length brown greasy hair.

"I would certainly appeal for information on anyone who has changed their appearance since Friday, May 18," said Det Insp Smith.

He revealed detectives were searching national databases, including the sex offenders' register, in the hope of identifying the attacker.

And a national database called the Serious Crime Analysis Section is allowing officers to compare details of the attack with other crimes in the country to check for common factors.

Specially trained officers from Worcester are on the case as well as forensic experts from West Midlands police.

DI Smith said he had investigated serious rape crimes in Worcester before, but stressed that incidents of stranger' rape were "extrememly rare".

Yesterday, detecitves released descriptions of two potential witnesses who may have passed the suspect at the time of the attack.

Their pictures were caught on CCTV in the area. The cameras did not capture the attacker and police are interested in hearing from anyone else who may have CCTV footage not yet shown to the police.

Anyone with any information about the attack, or who has CCTV footage not yet seen by the police, is asked to call Worcester police on 08457 444888 quoting 475S/210507 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.