A WOMAN was raped by a hackney cab driver on her way home from a night out in Birkenhead.

The attack happened at 1am on September 29 when the 22-year-old was picked up along with two friends in Bridge Street, near to Hamilton Square.

The victim's friends had already been dropped off at home when the hackney driver drove past her address to the Durley Industrial Estate in Prenton, where he raped her.

The man is described as white, aged 35-40, around 6ft tall, with a fat build, stubble and a local accent.

Police investigating the incident confirmed they were also probing a similar attack reported in Widnes on September 20, when a 32-year-old woman who'd hailed a black cab in Wood Street, Liverpool, was raped.

Polcie say that, despite the similarities in the two cases, they are not hunting a serial rapist.

If anyone has information, they are asked to call the Rape Support Unit on 0151 777 1382 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.