THREE men have been arrested over the rape of a woman.

The victim was found in a distressed state in a Newcastle street early on the morning of Saturday, August 6.

A woman passing by on a bike found the woman in the street shortly after 6.20am and rang police.

She left the scene before police arrived and detectives are now appealing for the cyclist to come forward and contact them.

The victim told officers she had been raped inside a house in the Gainsborough Grove and Sydney Grove area of Arthurs Hill.

Officers arrested three men in connection with the incident and they have been bailed pending further enquiries.  Detectives investigating the incident are appealing for the cyclist to contact them by ringing Northumbria Police on 101 quoting reference number 306 06/08/16.