DETECTIVES in Exeter are appealing for help from the public after a double rape in the town.

Police have confirmed that they are treating the case after two young women were subjected to a serious indecent assault by the same man.

The victims had been out for the evening on Sunday, August 5.

The incident started 30 minutes after midnight on Monday, August 6, when two international visiting girls, aged 16 and 18 years, were picked up by a man in a small blue car in the city centre area.

They were then driven to an unknown area of the city where the driver subjected both of them to serious sexual assaults inside the vehicle.

The man police are searching for is described as being black or dark skinned aged about 19-years-old.

He was about 5ft 5 inches tall with short-cropped dark hair wearing black trousers, a white shirt with a white T-shirt beneath.

He had both ears pierced and was wearing diamond ear studs.

The vehicle is described as a small blue five-door car.

The victims were later dropped in the Marsh Barton area where they asked a number of people for directions to the Cathedral.

Police are keen to speak to anyone who saw the girls getting into the car in the city centre or who was approached by them whilst they were in the Marsh Barton area.

Detective Inspector Nick Reed from Heavitree Road said, "This is a very serious crime.

"Neither victim knew the man who attacked them.

"It was only when they were found by a police patrol at 6.30 this morning that their ordeal came to light.

"Anyone who saw the girls getting into the car in the city centre, getting out in the Marsh Barton area, or who spoke to them as they asked for directions may have important evidence that could help us catch this man.

"If anyone has any information I would ask them to please call Crimestoppers as a matter of urgency"

Anyone with any information regarding this crime is asked to call Devon and Cornwall Police on 08452-777444 or Crimestoppers on 0800-555111 quoting crime number DE/07/9585.