POLICE are hunting aman after an attempt to indecently assault a 12-year-old boy in a car park toilet.

The man, wearing metal framed and tinted glasses, tried to push the youngster into a cubicle at the multi-storey car park in the Arndale Shopping Centre, Accrington.

The boy ran away and told staff at the centre, who then reported the incident to police.

Police said he would have been seriously indecently assaulted had he not run off and the attack has prompted Arndale bosses to increase security patrols.

The boy was not injured but is said to be very distressed and is being comforted by his family.

Sgt Paul Broxson, of Accrington Police who is heading the investigation, said there was another man in the toilets at the time who would have seen the incident and he is appealing for him to come forward.

He is described as a white man with a beard.

Police are also appealing for anyone who may have suffered a similar attack in the past in the same toilets or in Accrington generally to come forward and help with the investigation.

The attack happened just after 4pm on Tuesday, July 1 but police have only just released the artist's impression of the man they are looking for.

He is white, in his 50s, between 5ft 4ins and 5ft 8ins, of medium build, wearing a beige coloured cap and a green fleece jacket.

Sgt Broxson said: "This attack has certainly been very distressing for the young lad.

"If anybody recognises this man or has seen him near the Arndale Centre on the day in question we would like them to call us.

"If anyone has experienced a similar sort of incident in these toilets or in Accrington generally we would like them to come forward.

"I want to stress that if anyone feels embarrassed about coming forward, they will be interviewed by experienced detectives and with complete confidentiality. Alternatively they can call confidentially to Crimestoppers."

David Jones, manager of the Arndale Centre, said: "We have increased security patrols to the car park where the toilets are situated. We have not had any reports of anything like this before. We have also increased the frequency the toilets are checked by our cleaners. They go in at least once every half hour, whereas before they went in once every hour."

Anyone with any information should contact Accrington CID on 01254 353741 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.