A MAN has been charged with rape and attempted rape after two women were allegedly attacked by an intruder who sneaked into their homes.

Sanders Hill, 30, of no fixed address, is being held in custody and was due to appear before Burnley magistrates today.

Hill, formerly of Bread Street, Burnley, is charged with raping a 56-year-old woman in her home, in the Gannow area, last Thursday, and attempting to rape a 43-year-old woman in her home in the Colne Road area of the town on Friday, August 15.

He was arrested at 11pm on Friday night in the vicinity of Pendle Way and Bread Street by a police patrol.

Hill was kept in police cells over night. He was interviewed on Saturday and was charged with the offences at around 5.50pm.

Police said the first woman was raped after being followed to her home by her alleged attacker, although it is unclear how he got into the house.

In the second incident, police said the alleged attacker went to the door of a house and asked the woman for a glass of water.

Police said a neighbour heard a woman scream and went to investigate.

Both women sustained bruising to their heads and the second also sustained cuts and received hospital treatment for her injuries.