Detectives tracking a serial sex attacker today revealed they had eliminated more than 150 potential suspects from their inquiry.

Officers are sifting through a 'wealth of information' from the public in the hope of finding one tip-off which will lead them to the pervert. Over the last six months he has struck against ten women and girls in Bradford and the surrounding area.

Officers are working through an extensive list of names passed to the inquiry room, 'ticking off' each of those which can safely be disregarded.

And they stressed that although this was a time-consuming process, people should continue calling with any information they have.

Senior detectives acknowledge the operation has become a 'race against time' in which the pervert must be caught before he is able to commit more serious offences. So far, he has prowled isolated areas across Bingley, Baildon, Shipley and, more recently, Yeadon.

His hit-list of attacks include one woman being sexually assaulted and two others being dragged into secluded spots and viciously beaten. A 13-year-old girl managed to escape the beast's clutches after being grabbed in woodland as she walked home from school. In the latest reported attack, the pervert approached a 15-year-old girl in Rawdon, followed her on to a bus and then attacked her when she got off again in Yeadon.

Detective Superintendent Phil Sedgwick, who is leading the inquiry, said: "We have received a great deal of information. However it does take time for our dedicated team of detectives and researchers to process everything that comes into the incident room.

"It is a balancing act between officers interviewing those people who are named as possible suspects and speaking to members of the public who are giving us information."

He added: "We will follow up every single piece of information but that might not be done immediately. I would urge people to keep calling us because it could be that their lead proves vital."

The attacker is white, more than 6ft tall with short, blond hair. He has freckles or spots and has been seen in blue and black hooded tops and a red football shirt. Police think he may drive a dark hatchback, possibly an old-style Volkswagen Golf.

If you can help, ring the incident room on (01274) 537447 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111. Or e-mail hdincident@westyorkshire.pnn.police.uk