A HUNT has been launched for two sex attackers who struck in separate incidents, leaving one victim frightened and freezing for 10 hours in a secluded park .

A woman, in her 50s, was walking through Priestly Clough, a parkland area off Royds Avenue, Accrington, at 6.30pm on Thursday when her attacker approached from behind and punched her to the ground.

He then indecently assaulted her before running off.

Detectives only released details about the ordeal over the weekend because the victim had been too shaken to talk.

She discovered 10 hours later, at 4.15am by a passer-by who had heard her cries for help.

She was taken to Blackburn Royal Infirmary where she was treated for shock and hypothermia. After eight hours she was released home where she spent the bank holiday weekend being comforted by relatives.

Police today said she lives near to Priestly Clough, a popular walk for people travelling between Accrington and Baxenden.

Detective Inspector Bob Eastwood is leading the hunt for the attacker.

He said: "This was a very frightening attack and the woman is still being comforted at home.

"We do not know if this man would strike again. It is something which is impossible to say at this stage but we do need to speak to people who think they might know who is responsible."

The man is described as white, of mixed race or continental appearance and about 40 years-old, 5ft6in-8in tall, with medium brown hair with a clean shaven face, small eyes and a big nose. He was wearing a long sleeved waterproof bomber jacket that was zipped to the neck, with light blue jeans faded to the knee.

In the second incident, a 31-year-old woman returning home at 2.30am on Saturday when she was approached from behind and dragged across Lower Audley Street, Blackburn, and into bushes by a man attempting to rape her.

He ran off when disturbed by a passer-by.

Today, she was being comforted by relatives, including her mother and boyfriend, at her home.

She suffered severe bruising to her face in the attack when her head hit the floor.

Police are keen to trace the owner of a silver Volvo 760 which is believed to have been parked in Bennington Street at the time of the attack.

The attacker is described as Asian, in his early 30s, 5ft 8ins tall, of stocky build and wearing a light blue shirt.