Forensic experts were combing a Shipley park for clues today after a late night sex attack on a woman.

Police investigating the alleged incident launched an appeal for anyone who was in the Northcliffe Park area between 11.30pm yesterday and 1am today to come forward.

People living near the scene - a small car park between Cliff Wood Avenue and Cliffe Gardens at the entrance to the park - say it is a spot regularly used by drug takers and couples having sex in cars.

As the scene was searched by officers today the section of Northcliffe Park surrounding the car park was sealed off with police tape.

The crime scene - close to the busy A650 Bradford Road - was covered with black plastic sheeting, held down by four orange and white cones.

And a police officer was on duty in Cliff Wood Avenue, preventing people from entering the taped-off section of park.

Inspector Mick Turner, of Keighley police, said: "We are investigating allegations of a crime which we are treating very seriously. We are devoting all the resources we can to it.

"The scene is being examined by forensic officers and a detailed finger tip search of the area is being made.''

Inspector Turner said there were no reports of any serious injuries but added that the woman who reported the matter to the police was badly shaken.

David Steel, manager of the Cliffwood Guest House in Cliff Wood Avenue, said: "One of the guests in a room overlooking the park heard a commotion during the night.

"He said he heard car doors slamming three or four times, a bit of arguing and then a car screeching off at about 1.30am or 1.45am.

"I got up this morning and they'd banded off the area with blue police tape.

"The policewoman's been turning people walking their dogs away. They're letting cars out from the flats in Cliffe Gardens but she's been taking the vehicle registration numbers.''

A man living in Cliffe Gardens, who did not want to be named, said local residents were shocked by what had happened.

But he added: "It's quite a notorious car park where all sorts of stuff happens such as drug taking and love making in cars.

"It's a hive of activity which can go on right through the night and is quite intimidating for the people who live round here.''