POLICE hunting a sex pest said to resemble soccer star Eric Cantona may be closing in on their target after 12 more women came forward to say a man had exposed himself to them.

It is now believed the Cantona lookalike may have exposed himself more than 34 times to women and schoolgirls in Accrington over the last two years.

A police appeal for information has resulted in 12 more people coming forward to say they have been victims of a man exposing himself. On some occasions he has also committed a sex act.

PC Jane Lawrenson of Accrington Police said: "We have had a very good response.

"Some 12 people have come forward to say they have been 'flashed' at in the past but they had not reported it before. A lot of people have suggested names for the man, and we are now working hard to follow up that information."

Several of the victims have been schoolgirls and police have been liaising with teachers to warn parents and pupils about the man. Some of the witnesses have been left shaken after the incidents, which have mostly happened in the Milnshaw area. The last known incident happened in an alleyway off Westwood Street on Monday, January 11.

The man is described as white, aged 30-40, about 5ft 9ins tall, muscular or stocky with dark wavy hair and a 'weathered complexion.' Some witnesses have said he has a moustache and wears a dark woolly hat.

Police do not believe he has struck since their appeal for information was published in the Lancashire Evening Telegraph two weeks ago.

Anyone with information should contact Accrington Police on 01254 382141.

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