POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a teenager rode through woodlands on a mountain bike exposing himself to women.

In two separate incidents five minutes apart, the youth indecently exposed himself while he cycled with his trousers down.

The first incident happened at 5.45pm on Thursday as a 27-year-old woman was walking through isolated woodlands near Wilsons playing field, in Clayton-le-Moors.

A youth appeared on a mountain bike and rode past while performing an indecent act on himself.

He was described as white, aged 14 to 15, thin, with a pale complexion, wearing a dark baseball cap, a white T-shirt with a colour on the front, and pale tracksuit bottoms.

Five minutes later, a teenager fitting that description rode past a 42-year-old woman with his trousers down exposing himself.

Officers searched the scene but found no trace of the offender.

Extra patols will be taking place in the area.

Sergeant Dave Redding, of Great Harwood Police, warned women not to walk in the area alone and said: "If you see this man don't approach him - report any sightings as soon as possible so we can deal with it.

"If he isn't caught he will probably continue to commit crimes. He is a public nuisance and a threat to women."

Anyone with any information is asked to call Great Harwood CID on 01254 353341, or the anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555111.