A SUSPECTED rapist being sought by police forces across the country is thought to have spent some time in the Lancaster area.

Adrian McKee, 32, originally from Londonderry in Northern Ireland, has been described as a "serious risk to women" and is believed to have entered the mainland via Heysham.

Greater Manchester Police are currently tracking McKee's movements and they think he may have spent some time in Lancaster or Morecambe.

Police believe McKee travelled to Birmingham on July 24 and he has also been traced to Blackpool and London.

He may be attempting to find a bed and breakfast room or space in a homeless shelter or approaching women who live alone.

McKee is described as 5ft 6in tall, of slim build, with brown hair, recently cropped, blue eyes, a goatee beard and has an Irish accent. He has scars on his wrists and three tattoos -- barbed wire on his left arm, a red devil on his right arm and a scorpion on his back. McKee is a qualified joiner and police are particularly interested in any businesses or site agents who may have hired him or spoken to him lately.

They are also anxious to hear from anyone who has accommodation to rent, such as bed and breakfast or hostel places, who may have booked out a room to him. They have warned that McKee can appear to be extremely friendly and approachable and it is believed he may have befriended a woman.

Anyone with any information as to McKee's current whereabouts is asked to contact Greater Manchester Police on 0161 856 4951.

Police have emphasised that, at this stage, they are not linking McKee to the rape which occurred in Lancaster.