Police today will take the unusual step of naming a suspect wanted in connection with one of the biggest manhunts in Sussex for years.

A team of detectives has been working flat-out for four months to track the man responsible for the vicious rape of a 24-year-old student in Hove.

The hunt has led to nationwide TV and Press appeals and now the Crown Prosecution Service has given police permission to name a suspect, a move which could signal a breakthrough.

More details will be released at a press conference at Brighton police station this morning, but the Argus understands the suspect is a local man in his 30s or early 40s.

Police involved in Operation Cruise are hoping members of the public will act as their eyes and ears and provide information on the suspect's whereabouts.

The student victim was subjected to what one detective described as the worst rape he had dealt with in 16 years.

Through DNA samples, police have linked the attack with a sex assault on a 47-year-old woman in New Steine Gardens, Brighton, on February 17, 1998.

In the latest crime, the victim was walking home during the early hours of New Year's Day. She had split from friends and was heading off alone to an address in Hove at around 1am.

As she walked west along Kingsway she met a smartly-dressed woman called Lorraine who was going to a party in The Drive.

The victim, who was visiting the town from Bedfordshire, spent around an hour at the party and then left alone.

On her way home, unfamiliar with the area, she got lost and asked a man for directions at the junction of Sackville Road and New Church Road.

He suggested a shortcut through Aldrington Day Centre in New Church Road, where he then followed and attacked her.

Detectives can account for the victim's movements until 3.30am, but her whereabouts between then and when she was attacked at around 5.30am are unclear.

They want Lorraine and another man who was asked directions by the victim to come forward.

Det Insp Russ Whitfield: "There could be people out there who may have seen something, and may have even seen the attacker, but who don't think it is important.

"We are also appealing for other victims who have not reported a rape offence to the police to come forward.

"We have a number of lines to work on, and we have got officers on the case who are doing all they can to bring this man to justice."

Police have released a description of the man wanted for the Hove attack.

He was thin with a distinctive slim face and brown eyes.

He had a local accent and was wearing a multi-coloured diamond-patterned sweater and dark-green jogging bottoms.

Anyone with any information is urged to contact the Cruise incident room on 0845 60 70 999 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.