A BOLTON TV director who helped catch rapist George Heyes has claimed he flashed at her mother a year before she was confronted by him.

Joanne Dunleavy Nelson, the assistant director of Channel Four soap Brookside, said she recognised Heyes immediately after being given a description of him by her mum.

She said: "I just knew this pervert was the same man who'd flashed at my mum.

"The same ginger moustache she had noticed hid his contorted face. He was vile-looking with incredibly pale skin."

Heyes, who, at the time, was the acting assistant divisional officer for Greater Manchester Fire Service, indecently exposed himself to Joanne, aged 30, at Entwistle Reservoir in December 1999.

Her courageous chase led to Heyes's arrest and DNA evidence obtained linked him to a rape and indecent assault to which he pleaded guilty.

He was convicted of a second rape and two more indecent assaults. He was jailed for life following a four-day trial at Manchester Crown Court.

Miss Nelson said: "I pulled my mobile phone out of my pocket and yelled 'I've seen you now, and I'm going to get you!' as I dialled 999. I was petrified but desperate to catch him."

Heyes, of Bamburgh Close, Radcliffe, was later caught by Keith Graham, the landlord of the Strawbury Duck pub, and window cleaner Brian Walker.

Miss Nelson said: "I'll never be able to put the experience behind me completely. George Heyes will always be in my head."

Heyes, who became a fireman when he was 21, had carried out the attacks following the death of his father and the breakdown of his ten-year marriage, the court was told.

Lancashire Constabulary said that they were aware of Miss Nelson's comments but had not received an official complaint and were not currently investigating.