POLICE have patrolling the Duke Bar area of Burnley after a man violently sexually assaulted a lone woman.

Police said the local woman, aged 30, was walking near the Kwiksave store in the early hours of Wednesday morning when she was attacked and then sexually assaulted.

Her attacker is described as Asian, in his late 20s or early 30s, wearing jeans and a light coloured top. He is thought to have left the scene in a red car.

Detectives are appealing for information about the attack.

Det Sgt Derek Jones said: "We have been carrying out patrols in the area where the attack happened and we have been talking to members of the public in the area."

The man leading the inquiry, Det Insp Mark Maxlow, added: "This was a serious sexual assault on a woman and we are appealing for anyone with information about the incident to come forward.

"If anyone heard the victim screaming or shouting for help or if anyone saw anything suspicious around that area then they should call us.

"This appears to have been a totally unprovoked and violent attack on a woman who was on her own. The attack was very sudden. We are extremely keen to find out more about the red car and which direction it might have travelled in."

Anyone with information should call police on 01282 425001 or Crimestoppers, free and in confidence, on 0800 555 111.