A Burnley teenager on a morning paper round was pounced on and subjected to a terrifying sex attack in an alleyway.

The 14-year-old girl was walking in Newton Street, Ightenhill, on Saturday at 8am when the attacker struck.

Police said she was confronted by a scruffy-looking man who touched her backside'.

She was then grabbed by the attacker who put his arms around the youngster and sexually assaulted her.

When she shouted for help the man ran off.

Detective sergeant Ian Procter said: "While I don't want to frighten the public, it's concerning that this has happened while the young girl was doing her paper round.

"She was very shaken by the incident and I would appeal to anybody who was in the area at the time or who may have seen this man either before or after the incident to get in touch."

The attacker was described as white, in his late 20s, 6ft, of medium build, with bushy dark brown short unkempt hair. He was wearing a beige old-looking sweatshirt with a dark blue stripe across the chest and dark trousers.

The incident comes just a week after a pervert exposed himself to a 14-year-old girl in the Ightenhill area of town on Monday, June 19. Police have not ruled out that the incidents may be linked.

Police, who have only just released details of the incident, said the man who was standing with his trousers round his ankles then performed a sex act on himself in front of the teenager.

The incident happened on the junction of Dryden Street and Padiham Road at around 8am.

He was described as white, in his early 30s, 5ft7in tall, slightly plump and wearing a white short-sleeved top and stone washed blue jeans.

DS Procter added: "We are keeping an open mind whether the incidents are linked. We are urging anybody with information about either of the incidents to contact us."

Anyone with information should contact Burnley CID on 01282 472240 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.