POLICE are hunting for a man wanted in connection with an incident in which a woman was held "captive".

Officers are looking to find Stephen Warburton, 44, of no fixed abode, after reports of a false imprisonment on Hatton Avenue in Atherton.

The woman at the scene had been assaulted and threatened with a knife before she was able to escape eight hours later after a man had imprisoned her.

A Greater Manchester Police (GMP) spokesman said "Warburton is actively evading police and is known to have links with Wigan and Leigh areas."

The incident happened shortly after 12am on Wednesday, March 14.

PC Andrea Lea of GMP’s Wigan borough, said: “Warburton is wanted in connection with a very serious offence which left a woman fearing for her life for over eight hours.

“Please, if you have any information about where Warburton is, or see him in your local area, contact police at the earliest possible opportunity on 101 or 999.”

Alternatively, contact the independent charity, Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111.