A SEX fiend bundled a woman into a car and seriously assaulted her as she returned home from celebrating the New Year.

The woman, 23, was walking home along Reedyford Road, Nelson, at about 3am on Saturday when she was approached by an Asian man in a silver car.

She was forced into the back of the vehicle and driven to an alleyway off Every Street, Brierfield, where she was seriously sexually assaulted.

Police said the attacker then drove the woman to the Langroyd area of Colne where she was thrown from the car partially clothed, shortly before 4am.

A couple on their way home stopped to help the distraught woman and called the police.

The woman was to be interviewed again by police today and further forensic tests carried out.

Detectives said they were not at this stage linking the attack to an assault in Burnley which happened on Monday, December 27.

In that assault a 43-year-old woman was taken in a car from Plumbe Street to a secluded spot where she was raped by two men.

She was later dumped near the Inn on the Wharf in Manchester Road.

Police are now appealing for witnesses to the latest attack.

Det Chief Insp Mark Gray, who is leading the hunt, said he was keen to speak to anyone who may have seen the victim or the silver car.

He said: "This was a nasty attack and I would like to hear from anyone who may have any information or who may have seen the car or the woman.

"People may have been going home after a New Year's night out in one of the three areas involved and seen something that may not seem significant to them, but which could help complete the picture of what happened."

Anyone with information should call police on 01282 472645 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.