POLICE have put women across East Lancashire on alert after two terrified victims were raped by strangers in the space of 30 minutes.

In the first incident, an 18-year-old was attacked by a man who knocked on the front door and forced his way into her home in Blackburn Road, Great Harwood, at around 9pm on Saturday.

About half an hour later - in an unconnected incident - a 32-year-old woman was enticed into a dark alleyway off Sandringham Road, Darwen, before being pushed against a parked car and attacked.

She put up a violent struggle and police were today trying to find a packet of washing powder and loose change she dropped during the attack. Today Detective Chief Inspector Ian Kennedy said he was concerned for the safety of other women, although no other similar incidents had been reported in the previous few weeks.

He advised woman not to be out alone or to answer their door late at night.

The first attack occurred after the woman had walked home from work in the town and detectives were today trying to establish whether the man had followed her or if he had been lurking in the area awaiting her return.

The woman was interviewed yesterday by detectives who have made counselling services available to her. Today local Hyndburn councillor Peter Clarke said: "It's a sad state of affairs when you're raped in your own home.

"It's a sign of the times when you cannot walk home without being raped.

"Other women in the area should be vigilant. It could become a major problem if he is not caught."

The victim described the man as white, in his 30s, of a tanned complexion, with a "number two" shaved haircut, between 5ft 7in and 5ft 10in, and wearing a black bubble jacket and dark blue jeans.

The attack has worried women in the area.

A barmaid at a nearby pub, who refused to be named, said: "It's awful that this has happened.

"It's horrible that this happened to her in her own home.

"Hopefully nobody will be leaving here on their own now after last orders."

The second attack happened as the woman returned home after buying Surf washing powder at Linwood newsagents in Blackburn Road.

She heard somebody in distress in the alleyway and was pounced on by a man who appeared from the darkness when she went to investigate.

Her attacker, who ran off after the incident, was white, 5ft 10ins, with dark, neat short hair and was wearing a pale blue shirt.

He had rough hands, long finger nails and full, thick lips.

Police are appealing to people who may have seen someone acting suspiciously before either incident.

They should call Great Harwood CID on 01254 353341, Darwen CID on 01254 353830 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.