DETECTIVES are appealing for taxi drivers to help them with a rape investigation in Bishop's Waltham.

An 18 year-old woman alleged she was raped at an address in Cherry Gardens early on Sunday, (March 16).

A 27-year-old man from Bishop's Waltham, a 25-year-old man from Botley and a 25-year-old man from Swanmore were arrested on suspicion of rape and have all been bailed until Tuesday, May 6.

However, police are seeking two taxi drivers who may have worked on the following fares as they believe they could hold vital information.

The first fare picked up three men and a woman at 1am on Sunday, March 16, outside the Standing Order pub in Southampton's High Street and took them to the E Tap Hotel in Harbour Parade. Police said the cab could possibly have gone on to the nearby Ibis Hotel.

At around 1.50am, a taxi took three men and a woman from the Ibis Hotel to Cherry Gardens, in Bishop's Waltham, and the fare cost around £32.

Detective Sergeant Sarah-Jane Speakman said: "If you were the driver of either of these fares, please contact Hampshire Police as a matter of urgency."

Taxi drivers, or anyone else with information about this incident, should call 0845 045 45 45 and ask for Detective Sergeant Sarah - Jane Speakman at Waterlooville police station.

Alternatively people can call the anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111, quoting Operation Knighton.