A German teenager was grabbed and brutally raped in a Brighton park last night.

Police believe a stranger may have followed the 18-year-old student or lain in wait.

The scene was sealed off today as police carried out house-to-house inquiries.

The young woman was walking through a park known locally as The Farm in Auckland Drive, Bevendean, just after midnight when the man struck.

She had been returning to her accommodation.

Police were called and officers searched the area. Today they issued an appeal for information.

The woman was taken to a Sussex Police victim suite where she was seen by a doctor. Her family in Germany has been told.

Detective Inspector Bill Warner of Brighton police said: "This was an horrific attack and the victim is extremely traumatised."

The park, which contains children's playground equipment and the Becca Centre where a mother-and-toddler group meets, was sealed off by police this morning.

Forensic experts were combing the area for clues.

Witnesses or anyone with information are asked to contact Brighton CID on 0845 6070999.