POLICE were last night questioning a man about an alleged rape.

They are appealing for the person who went to the aid of the woman making the complaint, to come forward.

A Cleveland Police spokeswoman said a passer-by saw a 25-year-old woman running along Newport Road, Middlesbrough, in a distressed state, early yesterday.

"She told him she had been raped and he immediately took care of her, put her in a taxi and told the driver to take her to the police station," she said.

The woman, who had been working as a prostitute in Wilson Street, near the town's railway station, said she was forced to go to a secluded area and attacked near the Sainsbury's supermarket, in Newport Road, at about 2.30am.

Police are questioning a 33-year-old local man, but want to speak to the passer-by and the taxi driver.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the police on (01642) 303126.