A MAN has been charged with rape after a year-long investigation into a sex attack on a 47-year-old woman in a Nelson supermarket car park.

Arshad Mahmood, 31, of Grey Street, Burnley, was arrested in Brierfield yesterday. He was interviewed at Burnley police station and charged with rape

He was due to appear before magistrates in Burnley today.

Detective Sergeant Steve Mounsey said the charge was in relation to an investigation dating back to New Year's Day, 2001.

The 47-year-old victim told police she had been dragged into a red two-door car similar to a Nissan Micra car on the Kwik Save car park in Goitside, Nelson, and sexually attacked.

She later managed to make her way home. She had suffered bruising and was badly shocked by her ordeal.

The incident led to police putting women on the alert and advising them to be extra vigilant and to be aware of the dangers of walking alone at night.

A major operation was launched and police carried out door to door inquiries among businesses, shops and houses in the area.

The incident happened at 4am on New Year's Day last year but was not reported to police until two days later.