The rape of a woman in the back seat of a Rolls-Royce will tonight be the subject of a nationwide police appeal.

A reconstruction of events both before and after the sex attack will be aired on BBC One's Crimewatch programme.

Sussex Police hope it will secure a breakthrough in the hunt for three men linked to the incident after previous appeals yielded few major clues.

The 36-year-old victim was waiting outside King's Nightclub in Langney Road, Eastbourne, with a female friend early on Sunday, February 13.

As they chatted, they were approached by three men and offered a lift home in a blue Rolls-Royce. All five of them walked through Eastbourne town centre towards the car in Hyde Gardens.

As they drove through the Langney area the car stopped to allow one of the women out to smoke a cigarette and she was joined by the driver.

However, as her friend was left in the back seat two of the men pounced on her and she was subjected to a terrible ordeal.

The victim's friend saw the commotion and tried to open the door to free her but she was thwarted by the driver.

As her friend was being attacked, she ran off to seek help and found a male friend. But shortly after he arrived the car drove off and the attackers escaped.

The distraught victim, from Eastbourne, was later thrown out of the car by an off-licence in Priory Road, Langney.

No arrests have been made in the hunt so tonight the case will be featured on Crimewatch in a bid to track them.

CCTV footage of the three men was released following the attack but they failed to generate any strong leads. In addition, police have issued drawings of distinctive tattoos seen by the two women on one of the men.

Detectives from Eastbourne CID will ask whether anyone saw the men in King's Nightclub on the evening of February 12.

They will also appeal for witnesses to the Rolls-Royce and to anyone who saw anything suspicious in the Langney Villas and Langney Rise area.

Nikki Marshall, spokesman for East Downs police division, said: "We're hoping that people's memories will be jogged by this screening and aim for a good response from the public.

"People who may think their information is not valid may hold vital clues about this case and it is them we want to hear from.

"We are appealing for anyone who may have seen anything suspicious on that night or recognises any of the men involved in the incident."

Crimewatch will be aired on BBC One at 9pm tonight.

Anyone with information should contact Detective Constable Katy Stewart at Eastbourne CID on 0845 6070999.

Alternatively, people can telephone Crimestoppers free and in confidence on 0800 555111.