DETECTIVES are following up a number of leads in the hunt for an 'unusually dressed' sex attacker who raped an 18-year-old young woman in an Otley churchyard - almost directly opposite the police station.

The victim was subjected to the serious sexual assault after she was dragged into the grounds of the United Reformed Bridge Street church by a man who may have had an Australian accent.

Police say they have had a brilliant response to a public appeal for help in identifying the attacker, who struck in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Detective inspector Scott Wood, of Pudsey-Weetwood CID, said police had received a number of phone calls suggesting possible names of the attacker based on the Australian accent.

He said: "We still want to hear from any potential witnesses or anyone who thinks they might have information about the attacker."

The woman was walking past the church just before 1am on Saturday after leaving The Suburban Style Bar in Bridge Street when the man pounced. She believes her attacker was the same man who had spoken to her earlier outside the bar.

The man was described as white, in his middle 20s, of a slim build with short, dark hair. He was wearing a khaki or army combat type top and reddish to reddish brown trousers.

Police are unsure about the attacker's height but say he was "much taller" than the victim, who was 5ft 4ins.

Detective Sergeant Paul Malthouse of Weetwood CID said: "We're desperate for witnesses to come forward and for suggestions as to the identification of the attacker.

"Everybody knows each other in Otley - someone's going to know this guy.

"His dress was unusual and some people in the bar were looking at him, one or two were ridiculing his dress. He was wearing clothes that would have stood out.

"He spoke with a possibly Australian accent, but certainly not a local accent. We know that the person who was attacked had been to the Suburban Bar beforehand and at closing time had gone outside where she was waiting for a group of friends to come out.

"That is when she was approached by this man. The timescale we are talking about is between 12.15am and 1.15am.

"She did actually scream out during the attack and a passerby came to her help, who we have taken a very helpful statement from."

l Anyone with any information is asked to telephone (0113) 241 3459 or Crimestoppers on (0800) 555111.