A WOMAN was held down by two men and raped by a third while walking home from a night out.

The 22-year-old was attacked in Yunus Khan Close, Walthamstow, as she was returning home from the Cavern bar, in Forest Road, in the early hours of Sunday morning.

The woman left the bar at 3am and walked along Forest Road, before turning into Hoe Street,then Queens Road.

She then turned left into Yunus Khan Close, where she was approached by three men outside the Claypole Court flats.

One of them men asked her if she needed help before punching her in the back.

She was then raped by him while two other men held her down.

After the attack, which happened in a small, grassed area, the rapists fled.

A passer-by took the distressed woman to hospital and called the police.

Investigating officer Det Con David Roch said: "This was a serious sexual assault on a woman who has been left severely traumatised by her ordeal.

"Up to 20 flats surround the area of the attack and I would appeal to any residents who may have seen or heard anything suspicious or have information, to contact me immediately."

The three men are described as black, aged between 20 and 30 years, about 5ft 10in and wearing dark clothing.

The attack comes days after the Guardian revealed that a rape is committed every five days in Waltham Forest.

A police spokeswoman said that the borough's conviction rate for rape is the fifth highest in the Met.

Anybody with information about the rape should contact the police's Sapphire Unit, which investigates sexual crimes, on 8345 3276.