THE hunt for Britain's most wanted serial rapist, at large for more than a decade, has turned international.

West Yorkshire Police have called in Interpol to help locate a number of suspects in Australia, Holland, Gibraltar, and France.

They are among almost 7000 men still to be eliminated in the hunt for a Scots rapist who has struck five times since 1982. Police have so far eliminated 12,000 suspects from their inquiries.

In June this year, police revealed the same man was responsible for abducting and sexually assaulting women in Leicestershire, Yorkshire, and Nottinghamshire.

The first four were raped. In each case the victim was kidnapped in her own car before being sexually assaulted.

Detective Superintendent Eddie Hemsley said police originally had 19,000 potential suspects. But he said that 12,000 had been eliminated.

About 250 people have also been interviewed in Scotland, including inmates in prisons.

He said the police were optimistic the rapist could be among the list of suspects yet to be quizzed.

Detective Superintendent Hemsley said: ''In terms of serial rapists he is the most wanted man in the country.

''He is a danger to women and offender profilers we have consulted say he will continue to offend.''

He said the police were optimistic the rapist could be among the list of suspects yet to be quizzed.

He added that he had good reason to believe the man responsible has strong links to Leeds.

Det Supt Hemsley said: ''In terms of serial rapists, he is the most wanted man in the country.

''He is a danger to women and offender profilers we have consulted say he will continue to offend.''

The man is white and at least 35, but may be in his fifties.

He is 5ft 8in, medium build and at the time of the attacks had neck or collar-length brown or dirty blond hair.

He uses the phrase ''lass'' or ''lassie'' and emphasises his commands to victims with the words ''do you hear me?''.