POLICE are appealing for two witnesses to come forward who could help with an investigation into a Southport rape. 

An 18-year-old woman was attacked at the resort’s Lower Promenade last month. 

Between 1.45am and 2.30am on Sunday, April 26, the victim walked there with a man she had met at Starsky's bar in West Street. 

They sat talking in a shelter next to the lake and when the woman tried to leave, the man became aggressive, pushing her back into a seat and raping her. 

The victim managed to struggled free and punched the offender in the face, before running away to the Promenade. 

The offender is described as white, in his mid-20s, at least 6ft tall, of muscular build with short dark spikey hair.

He was wearing jeans and a short-sleeved white top.   

Detectives are keen to talk to a man who found the victim on the Promenade, described as white, in his mid-30s to 40s, of average height and large build, with a bald head and round face. 

He was walking his dog and wearing black trousers, a shirt and a black zipped-up jacket, and had a local accent. 

Detectives are also keen to trace another man who was seen at the lake around the time of the offence. He is described as white, in his mid-30s and was looking for a Staffordshire bull terrier-type dog.