FAMILIES in Darwen are being reassured that Sunnyhurst Woods are still a safe place to visit, despite a terrifying attack on a 14-year-old girl.

The teenager suffered a four-and-a-half inch wound to her throat when she was attacked in the 84-acre woods.

But despite the ordeal, police and park volunteers say the area, popular with walkers, hikers and families, is still safe.

They say the attack is an isolated incident, and systems are in place to call police in an emergency.

Dennis Gillibrand, chairman of the Friends of Sunnyhurst Woods, said: "We have had a spate of vandalism in the park, but nothing of this nature before. We have never had any problem with physical attacks.

"Our message to people is that this is an absolutely isolated incident and completely out of character for the woods as we know them.

"We have regulars who go in probably two or three times a day, and if there is anybody looking untoward, we have a system in where we phone the police if it's necessary, especially at night."

The victim, who cannot be named, was attacked by 20-year-old Zoe Cooper in June last year, near the duck pond .

The wound was superficial, but this week Blackburn magistrates heard how it could have been much worse.

Inspector Graham Ashcroft of Darwen police said the area is covered by police officers.

He said: "There are several wooded areas in Darwen, including Sunnyhurst Woods, Whitehall Park and Bold Venture Park. I feel they are all very safe areas.

"We do sometimes get some juvenile problems in Whitehall and Bold Venture, but Sunnyhurst is a very safe area.

"This is an isolated incident and people should not be put off because of it. We do have a Community Beat Manager and a Police Community Support Officer who cover that area. It's a safe park."

Mr Gillibrand added: "Sunnyhurst is a safe woodland area. It's a unique setting, there is nowhere else like it in the whole of the borough. People come from all over Lancashire to walk through the woods. It's a family oriented place."

Zoe Cooper, of Birch Hall Avenue, Darwen, has been committed on bail to Preston Crown Court for sentencing.