A 15-year-old girl was dragged into a secluded alleyway and raped as she walked home from a night out, police said.

The "extremely traumatised" teenager is now being comforted by her family after the incident in a passageway between Lister Street and Hartman Street, Accrington.

Police said that an attacker dragged the girl into the secluded location as she was walking home and then raped her.

They said she was left battered and bruised but was able to walk home and report the incident to members of her family who then raised the alarm.

Det Insp Jim Elston of Accrington police said: "The girl has been left extremely distraught and traumatised as a result of this incident.

"It was a terrible ordeal for anyone to go through and she is now being helped through this period by her family and specialist police officers."

He said that the 15-year-old had been walking home alone along Lister Street after spending the evening with friends when the incident took place.

He said a man dragged her from the road before physically and sexually assaulting her at around 1.30am on Friday.

Det Insp Elston added: "We are treating this as an isolated incident and are appealing for any witnesses to come forward."

Anyone with any information can contact police on 01254 51212 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

A 17-year-old from Monk Street, Accrington, has been charged with rape and has been remanded in custody before an appearance at Hyndburn Magistrates Court.