POLICE are hunting a serial sex pest who they believe could be responsible for several incidents in Burnley in recent weeks.

In the latest scare the flasher is thought to have exposed himself twice in one day.

He was first seen by the canal in Thompson Park flashing at people travelling past on barges.

Then later the same day he exposed himself to a 19-year-old woman in Queen Victoria Road.

These follow a spate of similar incidents in the town.

Police are linking the two recent cases, which took place last Thursday, and are appealing for help from the public to catch the pest.

Police say the same man could also be responsible for similar incidents in the same area of Burnley.

The first of Thursday's incidents occurred at around noon when the man, said to be in his late 20s or early 30s, was seen on a bench, near the canal, flashing at people on barges.

He was reported to the police by a 12-year-old boy who saw him as he walked through the park.

The offender was described as wearing a dark green baseball cap with a Nike tick logo on it, a light blue shirt and dark blue jeans.

At around 12.45pm a man dropped his shorts and exposed himself to a 19-year-old woman who was walking along Queen Victoria Road past Bank Hall Park.

The offender made off into the park.

He was also described as being in his late 20s or early 30s, of medium build, wearing a dark coloured baseball cap.

He was wearing dark coloured shorts and a dark coloured T-shirt.

Detective Sergeant Derek Jones said: "There have been a spate of incidents of indecent exposure over recent weeks.

"We are asking the public to contact the police immediately if they see anyone loitering or acting suspiciously.

"We rely on the public to assist us in these cases and we would urge them to call the emergency number 999 so we can respond immediately and catch this man."