TWO men have been arrested in connection with a sexual assault where the victim was locked in her shed after being burgled.

And police have issued a photograph of distinctive items stolen from the victim's home in a bid to trace them.

The 51-year-old victim was attacked in her own home in Clayton-le Moors early on Wednesday, before being forced into a shed at the back of her terraced property.

Police believe the attacker then took the woman's cards and withdrew £500 from cash machines in Great Harwood.

Two 25-year-olds were arrested in Blackburn on Thursday - one on suspicion of burglary and sexual assault, the other on suspicion of assisting an offender. A 30-year-old man from Rishton has been released without charge, but given a caution for a drugs offence.

A grey ACER laptop and a blue U600 Samsung mobile phone were also stolen in the raid.

Det Chief Insp Paul Withers, who is leading the investigation, said: "If anyone has bought any of these items privately, perhaps from a second hand shop, in the past couple of days then I would ask you to contact the police.

"Or if you own a second hand shop and have bought any of these items or have been offered them, then we would really like to speak to you. Your help could be crucial to the inquiry."

Contact police on 01254 51212 and quote log number 21EQ/ 160108 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.