A MAN has been arrested after a woman was seriously sexually assaulted in Sale.

At about 3.45am on February 1, police were called to School Road in Sale following reports a 21-year-old woman had been attacked.

Officers attended and discovered the woman had been walking home from a night out when she asked a man for a cigarette.

He took her by the hand and led her to a nearby alleyway where he gave her a rolled-up cigarette.

The woman next recalls coming round and noticing that some of her clothing had been removed. It is believed she was seriously sexually assaulted by the man.

A 44-year-old man was arrested on February 7 on suspicion of rape.

He remains in police custody for questioning.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call police on 0161 856 6580, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.