A MAN is set to appear in court in June after being charged with rape. 

Police launched an investigation after a woman, in her 20s, was seriously sexually assaulted close to St James Court, in Heysham, at the weekend.

The incident happened in the early hours of Saturday, May 7, and the woman is now being supported by specially trained officers.

As a result of the investigation, a 23-year-old man was arrested, and subsequently has been charged with the offence.

He was released on conditional bail by Preston Crown Court to reside at an address in Cumbria, and is due to appear back in court in early June.

Enquiries are ongoing and police are keen to speak with anyone who was in the Strawberry Gardens public house between 11.30pm on Friday, May 6, and 12.30am on Saturday, May 7.

A spokesperson for the police said: "We would also like to speak to anyone who was on Heysham Road between the Strawberry Gardens Public House and St James Court (where the Covid vaccination programme is), between 12.15am and 1am, or who has any CCTV footage, Ring doorbell or dashcam footage in that location between those times."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Investigating Officer DC Peter Bennett, either by email to 3786@lancaster.police.uk or by phone on 01524 596452.