A 16-YEAR-OLD girl was subjected to an "horrendous" serious sexual assault by a masked man as she walked home along a quiet street.

The incident happened as the girl was walking along Longholme Road near to Focus Do It All on Bocholt Way, Rawtenstall.

Police said she was approached from behind by a man wearing a balaclava hood and a black padded jacket.

Detective Inspector Tony Ronnan said: "She had been in the town centre and was walking home when she was dragged by the man towards the rear yard of one of the shop premises in Bacup Road.

"She was subjected to a serious sexual assault and also verbal threats before the man ran off.

"She is distressed, upset and traumatised by what was an horrendous assault on her. She is now being comforted by her parents." Specially trained police interviewed the girl with her parents present.

Her attacker is described as white, approximately 5ft 9ins and is believed to have spoken with a local accent. He was aged about 30, with dark hair possibly thinning on top and wearing a black bubble jacket or coat.

He was seen in Bacup Road at about 11.45pm walking from the traffic lights at Queens Square Roundabout.

Mr Ronnan said: "I am appealing for anyone who was in that part of town and who saw something, no matter how insignificant it may have appeared to them, to contact the police and let us know."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Rawtenstall CID on 01706 237442.