POLICE were today hunting a "sexual predator" who subjected a teenage girl to a violent and terrifying rape on wasteground close to Blackburn town centre.

The 18-year-old was attacked as she walked home from a night out with her boyfriend and other friends.

Detectives said the couple had become separated in Utopia nightclub and she had decided to make her way home along Bolton Road at 1.45am on Saturday.

Her attacker began to follow her as she walked towards Ewood. After passing the Freckleton Street junction, she then crossed Bolton Road near William Wilson Electrical supplies to walk across a grassed area.

The man approached from behind and started talking to her but the terrified teenager ignored him and carried on walking.

It was then the attacker grabbed her before dragging her to the floor and carrying out his sex assault.

The girl managed to struggle free from her attacker but police said the offender chased her across the wasteground and grabbed her a second time.

She managed to struggle free from the man's clutches again before running to a friend's house. Police are appealing for witnesses who saw the slim, blonde-haired victim in Bolton Road.

They said the road was still relatively busy at the time of the attack and are particularly keen for taxi drivers to contact them.

Detective Inspector Pete Broome said it was a violent, sexually motivated attack and added: "This was a serious assault and the man needs to be caught.

"However, contrary to popular belief, these offences are rare and it was to this girl's great misfortune that she was the victim of this sexual predator."

The man was described as white, 23-years-old, 5ft 5ins or 5ft 6ins, with a stocky muscular build and a local accent. He was wearing a green or blue bomber jacket and a pair of blue training pants.

He was also carrying a plastic carrier bag which was gripped in his fist.

The girl was taken to Blackburn Royal Infirmary for treatment to her injuries and shock and police were examining the scene as fans made their way to Ewood Park for Saturday's home game against Bolton Wanderers.

Det Insp Broome added: "The offence took place at a time when there would have been many vehicles travelling along Bolton Road in both directions.

"The girl would have been quite noticeable so if anyone saw her walking along the road, particularly if anyone saw a man following a girl, they should contact us."

Yesterday the scene was cordoned off as forensic officers carried out a detailed search. Casts of footprints were taken away for examination.

Anyone with information should contact Blackburn CID on 01254 353569.

Detectives in Burnley are hunting a man who abducted a woman from a bus stop in the Duke Bar area of the town before raping her.

The 22-year-old victim was punched in the face and dragged into a secluded grassed area where she was sexually assaulted about 10.45pm on Saturday.

Police said the attacker approached the lone white female as she stood at a bus stop, near to the speed camera on Colne Road, opposite Lee Street, and engaged her in conversation before punching her in the face.

He led the dazed and disoriented woman into Marls Court, Pheasantford Green, where he subjected her to an indecent assault and raped her.

Police have launched a rape inquiry and a keen to speak to a girl seen talking to the suspected offender shortly after the attack.

Detectives said the attacker ran off after the offence took place and he is believed to have remained in the vicinity for some time afterwards.

The attacker is described as an Asian, 5ft 9in to 5ft 11in, aged between 18 and 19, with black hair, shaved at the sides, with muscular build and a chubby face. He was wearing a black baseball cap, a navy sports jacket and dark tracksuit bottoms.

Anybody with any information is urged to contact Burnley CID on 01282 472144 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.