HOSPITAL staff have been put on alert following an incident where a cleaner fought off a sex attacker.

Bosses at Blackburn, Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley NHS Trust have told staff to be aware after the Saturday morning attack in the grounds of Queen's Park Hospital, in Blackburn.

Security staff have also been warned to become more vigilant.

It was the second reported attack concerning a member of staff at the hospital in six months.

In July a 21-year-old nurse said she was attacked in Shadsworth Road as she went to work.

Police said they were not linking the two incidents and urged staff and members of the public not to panic.

Detective sergeant Mark Evans said: "This was a one-off incident but we need to make people aware of this incident."

John Dell, director of operations, at Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley NHS Trust, said: "The assault took place in the vicinity of the zebra crossing by the Occupational Health and Laundry building.

"In the light of this incident all staff have been warned about the attack and we have increased the vigilance of our security staff.

"The Trust is cooperating fully with Police enquiries and our CCTV tapes are being checked to see if there is any record of the attacker."

The attack on Saturday happened just after 7am.

DS Evans said the attacker came up behind the hospital cleaner, who is in her 50s, and grabbed her arm.

Her then tried to indecently assault her.

The man was described as white, 5ft 3ins - 5ft 5ins tall with a skinhead haircut.

He was stocky and was wearing a black leather jacket.

If anybody has any information they should contact Blackburn CID on 01254 353569 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.