AN investigation has been launched into claims a severely disabled woman was raped while being cared for in a Bury nursing home.

The attack was only discovered last week when doctors realised the 24-year-old victim, who cannot walk or talk, was six months pregnant. Estimations as to when the baby was conceived include a time when the woman was receiving respite care in the borough.

Detective Inspector Simon Collier, from Whitefield CID, said: "All I can confirm is that the victim, who has severe disabilities, was being treated at a nursing home in the Bury area around the time she became pregnant.

"We need to establish whether the unborn baby was conceived before, during or after her stay."

The victim's family became worried when the woman, who lives in Bolton, appeared to be distressed and started to vomit. Police were called to investigate when it was confirmed by doctors last Thursday that she was six months pregnant.

A relative of the victim, who for legal reasons cannot be named, said: "We are absolutely devastated. What sort of person would do this? Whoever has done this to her is an animal.

"She has already been through so much in her life. She can't speak and is wheelchair bound. We only know when she's hungry or in pain when she starts crying. She can't do anything for herself - she's like a baby."

The victim's family have pledged to support her through the birth and said the woman will keep the baby. They are also taking legal advice.

The nursing home at the centre of the rape allegations is run as a charity. A spokesman for the home said they were unable to comment while police investigations were ongoing.