POLICE are warning women be on their guard after a suspected kidnap attempt on a lone motorist.

The 30-year-old woman was assaulted as she returned to her car following a doctor's appointment.

As she opened the driver's door, two men attacked her from behind and tried to force her into the car. After a struggle the woman fell to the ground and hit her head and her two attackers fled.

Police say there was no attempt to steal either the woman's bag or her car keys and believe the motive may have been an attempt to abduct her.

The attack happened in a poorly lit area of Frederick Street, a side street off the main Blackburn Road in Accrington, on Thursday night.

Det Insp Jim Elstom, of Accrington CID, said: "This was an extremely disturbing attack for the victim and a very serious incident. If she hadn't have fought as hard as she did they might have abducted her.

There was no attempt to steal her car keys or her hand bag and we are concerned that if she had not resisted more serious offences might have taken place."

He added: "Now that the nights are drawing in, and in light of this incident, our advice would be for lone females just to be mindful when it is dark and they are alone to be careful where they park their vehicles and to choose somewhere well lit and on a main street."

Det Insp Elstom said they were anxious to trace three men who were seen in the area just before the attack, between 5.30 and 6pm. They are described as three Asian men, one aged between 17-25, about 5ft 7ins tall, wearing a blue jacket, possibly with stripes and a dark baseball cap; the second was aged between 18-22, about 5ft 7ins tall, stocky build, wearing a white waist-length jacket, with short, dark hair and the third was about 6ft tall and wearing tracksuit bottoms, a jacket and a dark baseball cap.

A further description suggests a man wearing a light woollen hat with dark flecks.

Police are also keen to talk to the driver of a white transit van seen parked in Frederick Street at about 6pm, who may have seen the attackers and helped scare them off.

Anyone with information should call Accrington CID on 01254 353743 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.