A WOMAN was left for dead after being beaten and sexually assaulted.

The victim, 33, was approached from behind and suffered serious injuries, including a fractured jaw, a number of lost teeth and bleed on the brain, in the attack.

Police said the full extent of the victim's injuries was not clear yesterday as she was in hospital undergoing surgery.

The incident happened off George Street West, Blackburn, opposite to the entrance of the Suez Recycling depot.

Following the attack police urged women in the area to remain 'vigilant and aware of their surroundings' when they are out and about.

Police are still investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident which happened between 8.10pm and 8.20pm on Saturday.

The attacker, in his late 20s, has been described as white, with blondish and mousey blond hair, short back and sides. He also spoke with a local accent.

Following the assault the attacker, who was between 5ft 6 inches or 5ft 7 inches tall, ran off in the direction of Dixon Street leaving the victim lying unconscious in the street.

Detective Chief Inspector Marie Haworth, of East CID, said: “This was an extremely brutal attack on a woman who has been left with some very serious injuries.

“I would like to reassure the public that we have a number of detectives working on finding the attacker and we are pursuing a number of enquiries including looking through CCTV.

“Until we apprehend this clearly dangerous man we would urge that women in the area remain vigilant and aware of their surroundings when they are out and about.

"I would urge anyone with any information which could help us catch this clearly violent man to come forward."

CCTV footage of the incident was recorded outside of A-Z Diesel Specialist, an MOT test centre which sits opposite the Suez Recycling Depot.

The manager of the MOT test centre said: "The police came to the test centre at 1.30am on Sunday morning.

"They took some CCTV footage and came back for more at 6pm on Sunday evening.

"CID were there as well."

A spokesman for Suez Recycling depot said: "The police cornered off the area after the attack and later chatted with two people who were working on the site at the time of the incident."

Anyone with information should call police on 101, or 999 if urgent, quoting incident reference 1561 of September 23.

Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be reached anonymously on 0800 555111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org