A MANHUNT has been launched after a 14-year-old girl was groped on her way to school.

Police said the girl was walking across Heys playing fields, Oswaldtwistle, at around 8.30am today when she was approached from behind and touched on the leg.

No arrest has been made and officers have issued a witness appeal.

A police spokesman said: "We received a call around 8.30am on September 27 to the reports that a girl, 14, walking to school had been followed and touched by a man on a bridle path.

"She was touched from behind on the back of her leg. She screamed and ran off.

"The man is described as white, between 20 to 30, short and was wearing a black hat and black clothing."

Following the incident Rhyddings Business and Enterprise School headteacher Andrews Williams sent a letter to parents warning them to ensure their kids stay away from the area.

He wrote: "We have been informed by the police that there was an incident involving a school aged girl in the vicinity of the Heys playing field this morning. They have advised us to notify all parents/carers. Please will you make every effort to ensure that your child avoids the area especially in the morning, evening and weekends.

"We have notified all students and our PE staff will ensure that no students travel to the Heys unaccompanied."

Anyone with information can call 101 quoting incident reference LC-20180927-0279.