DETECTIVES believe a man wanted in connection with a serious assault in Clitheroe could be in hiding in the Preston area.

Leanne Smalley, was attacked after an intruder forced his way into her home in Highfield Road last month.

During the prolonged ordeal, Ms Smalley, 26, slipped in and out of consciousness and suffered ‘horrendous’ facial injuries.

She was punched, grabbed round the neck and even had items of furniture thrown at her during the attack on Sunday, October 17 at 1am.

Ms Smalley eventually managed to escape and ran bloodied and barefoot in her pyjamas to her a relative’s house nearby.

The police were called at around 5am.

Detectives said they were hunting Benjamin Parker, a former partner of Ms Smalley, in connection with the ‘vicious’ attack.

He is described as 5ft 7in, of average build with dark hair.

He has a number of tattoos including a tribal design on his shoulder and a lily on the inside of his lower arm.