A RAPE inquiry has been launched after a teenager revealed she was attacked in a park as she walked home from a Christmas night out.

The incident happened as the 16-year-old made her way through Queen's Park, Blackburn, with a 15-year-old female friend at 3.10am.

Detectives believe the girl began talking to her attacker as she walked from the Highercroft area of Blackburn, where she had been enjoying a night out with friends.

They believe she was attacked in a shelter in the centre of the park.

Officers were today due to try and interview the traumatised schoolgirl, following the incident, in the early hours of Saturday.

They are also trying to establish what happened to her friend.

Police arrested a 31-year-old man in connection with the incident but he has since been released on police bail pending further inquiries.

The park was cordoned off while crime scene investigators examined it.

Detective Sergeant Ian Critchley, of Blackburn CID, said: "We hope to speak to the girls today. It has taken time because of the age of the girls and the serious nature of the allegation, which is rape.

"We are appealing for witnesses who may have seen the girls around the park or in the Pringle Street area of Blackburn before the attack.

"It was a very serious attack and we hope to clarify information later today."

Police have not revealed whether the girl was injured during the incident.

DS Critchley said: "It will take time talking to them, which is why we are appealing for witnesses who may have seen something or be able to help us to work out what happened and who the attacker was.

"We are particularly looking for people who were on foot in the area around the time of the attack."

The incident is not being linked to a series of incidents at Queen's Park Hospital, where a hospital cleaner was assaulted in October, four months after a nurse was attacked in July.

Queen's Park itself is at the heart of a massive regeneration project designed to turn it into an urban village.

Houses around the park are being improved to make it more attractive to visitors. Security improvements to make it safer are also included in plans being drawn up at the moment.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Blackburn CID on 01254 353569.