DETECTIVES have released CCTV images of people they believe could be key witnesses to a rape at a Basildon nightclub.

A 26-year-old woman made the allegation shortly after 4:30am on New Year’s Day in Liquid nightclub on the Festival Leisure Park.

A 26-year-old man from Barking in east London was arrested at his home address on Sunday, January 5.

He is on police bail until Thursday, February 20 pending further enquiries.

As part of these enquiries, detectives have identified four women and one man whom they believe can assist and help ascertain the sequence of events during the early hours of New Year’s Day in the nightclub.

It is believed they live in either Essex or east London.

Anyone who recognises themselves in the images or those who do know the identities of those are urged to contact detectives at Colchester’s Major Investigation Team on 101, email them on SCDappeals@essex.pnn.police.uk or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.