At Durham Crown Court, Neil Haigh admitted the rape and was warned he faces a substantial jail sentence.

Prosecutor Michaela Glass told the court Haigh was arrested last week after detectives carried out a cold case review.

Advances in DNA technology meant samples preserved at the time of the attack were now capable of providing a match, the court heard.

Durham Police launched a major investigation in 1987, after the 35-year-old woman was attacked shortly after 10am on a path beside the River Wear in the centre of Durham City.

The case caused widespread concern at the time because of the random nature of the attack and because it was carried out in broad daylight.

The woman was on her way to a service at Durham Cathedral when she was pounced on by Haigh, who tried to steal her handbag before raping her.

Haigh, 44, of Park Avenue, Coxhoe, County Durham, admitted rape and attempted robbery on September 20, 1987.

Stephen Duffield, defending, said: "He is pleading guilty today in order that he may receive full credit for that plea.

"Many of the original case papers are not to hand, and there will need to be a pre-sentence report before he is dealt with."

Judge Christopher Prince adjourned passing sentence to allow the preparation of the report.

The judge told Haigh: "This is clearly a very serious crime, but it is to your credit that you admitted what you did when the police came to see you, and you have pleaded guilty today.

"By doing so, you have saved your victim any more uncertainty, and saved the public purse a substantial amount because the case will not now have to be fully prepared for trial.

"You will receive what credit is available for this early guilty plea, but you will know a substantial period in prison is inevitable."

The judge remanded Haigh in custody until he is sentenced on a date to be fixed next month.