A man was today being quizzed by detectives hunting a sex attacker who struck three times in just 24 hours.

Police said the 26-year-old was arrested at his home in Southend and taken to Rayleigh police station for questioning in connection with two rapes and an attempted rape.

No further details were being released about the man, whose arrest comes after widespread appeals for help following the attacks - thought to have been carried out by one man.

Dozens of extra police have been patrolling Southend's streets to track down the rapist, with officers drafted in from across the county.

Details have only just emerged about the severity of the first two attacks early on Friday which left one woman needing hospital treatment for a head injury. She had tried to fight off her attacker and police believe she wounded him - possibly on his arm or hand.

The third victim only escaped being raped in the early hours of Saturday because her screams of terror brought a man running from his home to frighten off the attacker.

All the attacks happened just outside Southend High Street, the description of the attacker is similar in each case and the women were all walking home after a night out at one of the town's bars.

The manhunt is being led by Southend's Det Chief Insp Alan Hurley who said today: "These victims were put through terrifying ordeals."

The investigating team spent the weekend viewing CCTV footage from council-run cameras and cameras in pubs and clubs.

Mr Hurley added: "We have a number of good leads but now we still need to hear from members of the public. We would like to hear from anyone who parked at the Royals between midnight on Thursday and 2am Friday morning."

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