DETECTIVES have called in a Cracker-style criminal profiler to help catch a rapist who brutally attacked a 17-year-old girl at knifepoint.

The top psychologist will put together a profile of the offender who grabbed the teenager in Moses Gate Country Park almost two weeks ago.

Police hope it will lead them to the sex fiend before he strikes again.

They have stepped up the hunt for the pervert and have flooded the town centre with posters featuring an e-fit of the rapist.

They have also been liaising with souvenir and knife shops for information about the distinctive blade used in the attack.

The 14 inch Gurkha knife was recovered by forensic experts at the scene and has undergone tests. Police hope it will lead them to the rapist because of the unusual carved design, brass hilt and wooden handle.

Also known as a Kookri, the knife is the legendary blade of the famous Nepalese Gurkha soldiers.

The teenager was attacked as she walked her dog in the park on Tuesday February 25 at about 2pm.

She was ordered to strip before she was raped at knifepoint.

The girl eventually managed to break free from her attacker and ran naked through the River Croal.

Det Insp Andy Aston who is leading the hunt said: "We will not stop until we find him.

"He is a very dangerous man. We are determined to catch him. Somebody somewhere knows who this man is -- there is no point protecting him. It must be preying on your conscience -- contact the police if you have any information or suspicions."

Det Insp Aston thanked the members of the public for the tremendous response so far to the appeals.

Anyone with information about the attack should call 0161 856 5840.

POSTER CAMPAIGN: E-fit pictures of the rapist have been put up in shops in Bolton town centre