A woman was raped by a stranger in the early hours of this morning after a night out.

The 43-year-old victim told police she was attacked near a playground in Burgess Hill.

She was waiting for a taxi outside Burgess Hill Library at around 2am this morning when she was approached by a man.

They started talking and he offered to walk her home and they set off along Lower Church Road.

When they got to Marle Place in Leylands Road he attacked and raped her in a wooded area by the playground.

Afterwards he left and the victim went home and raised the alarm, at around 3.15am.

Detective Inspector Rob Walker said: "The victim has cuts and bruises and is understandably very shaken by what has happened to her.

"We need to speak to anyone who was in the area between Civic Way and Leylands Road in the early hours of this morning and could have seen the man and victim.

"We are particular keen to find people who saw or heard anything suspicious near Marle Place between 2.30-3.20am."

DI Walker added: "There is no suggestion at this stage that this is linked to any other incident, but we need to find the man responsible urgently."

Anyone with information should call police on 101 quoting Operation Chef or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.