Police have today made an arrest in relation to a sexual assault on a teenage girl in Darwen.

An appeal went out over the incident which happened before 7pm yesterday (Friday, May 21). A girl reported she had been approached by a man on the playing fields on Marsh House Lane in the town.

The man started talking to the girl before he then sexually assaulted her. She ran off and sought help by flagging down a passing motorist. The victim, a teenager, is being cared for by specially trained officers.

A Police spokesperson said: "We just wanted to let you know that following our earlier appeal to trace a man after a sexual assault in Darwen we have now made an arrest.

"A 46-year-old local man has been arrested on suspicion of sexual assault and is currently in custody.

"The arrest was made as a direct result of information from the public who saw the appeal so we just wanted to say thank-you. Your help is greatly appreciated as always."