British woman raped in Alps ski resort

A British woman has been raped while on a skiing holiday in the Italian Alps, it emerged today. The 47-year-old victim was attacked by two men after she left a nightclub in the early hours of the morning.

She told police she was dragged into a car by the pair after they stopped and offered her a lift as temperatures plunged to more than minus 20C.

Her ordeal took place in the Italian resort of Livigno near Sondrio, which attracts thousands of British skiers every winter.

After being dragged into the car she was driven to an isolated part of the town, where she was raped before being dumped outside her hotel.

She returned to her room and alerted friends, who took her to hospital, from where police were called. Today a police spokesman confirmed they were investigating the attack and the victim was still in Livigno while further forensic tests were carried out.

He added: "We have spoken to the woman following the complaint and we are trying to trace the two men who attacked her.

"The woman told us that she left the nightclub in the early hours of the morning and because of the bitter cold accepted the offer of a lift from the men.

"She is still very traumatised and so getting details from her has been difficult. She will remain in the area for the next few days while investigations continue. A file has been opened by local prosecutor Michela Guidi and everything we discover will be referred to her."

This morning Livigno's mayor, Lionello Silvestri, said: "We are in the peak tourist season with many visitors from England and I am deeply upset by this incident.

"However I would like to underline that Livigno is not the Bronx and this could have happened anywhere. There are enough police on patrol and this is just an isolated incident."

Livingo, on the borders of Switzerland, is one of Italy's highest resorts with excellent snow and terrain best suited to beginners and inexperienced skiers.

It is also a duty-free resort, leading it to be renowned for its apres-ski parties where nightlife is fuelled by cheap drink prices.