A PENSIONER was subjected to a serious sexual assault in her Nelson home early today.

Neighbours called police after screams were heard at around 1.30am.

Police are now appealing for anyone who saw an Asian man, in his 20s, between midnight and 2am, in or around their back yard, to come forward.

Detectives have also been carrying out house-to-house inquiries in the Pendle Street-Chatham Street area of the town.

Detective Superintendent Ian Critchley said: “This is an incredibly nasty attack on a defenceless lady.

"Throughout the day we have had trained officers working with the victim to piece together the sequence of events that occurred during this offence.

“Patrols have been stepped up and residents can be reassured that a full investigation has been launched.”

Shift worker Aziz Rahman, who lives nearby, said: “Around 1.20am, when I was coming in from work, I could hear banging and screaming and I saw a man in the back street at least two times.”

Another local resident, Ewelyn Olesky, said: “This is such a quiet area here usually. But we heard a lot of banging on doors and windows.”

Mr Critchley said a man, 30, from the Burnley area had been arrested in relation to the inquiry and was being questioned at Parker Lane police station.

Contact Burnley Police on 01282 425001.