DETECTIVES today revealed a serial sex attacker could be on the loose in Burnley after two teenage girls were assaulted within weeks of each other.

Police said e-fits of the offender looked remarkably alike and confirmed they could be looking for the same man.

Officers investigating an indecent assault on a 17-year-old girl in Padiham are currently sifting through CCTV footage for clues.

The are also probing evidence in the hunt for a man who attacked a 13-year-old schoolgirl in Burnley.

The 17-year-old victim was followed for more than half an hour as she walked from Padiham town centre towards Grove Lane.

The girl turned into a back street but her pursuer caught up with her and struck her in the face before committing an indecent assault.

She managed to fight off the offender before running off towards Padiham town centre on Wednesday, May 15, at 1.30pm

The attacker is described as white, aged 35 to 40, 5ft 8ins tall, medium build, short mousy brown hair, clean-shaven and wearing a shiny silver-grey zip-up jacket, which appeared to be too large.

The 13-year-old schoolgirl had been playing out with friends before walking home along Lowerhouse Lane at 9pm on Friday, March 29, when a man walking in the opposite direction grabbed her.

Police say he then pushed her into a back yard near Greenbrook Road and subjected her to a serious indecent assault.

Her attacker is described as white, in his late 30s to early 40s, 5ft 8ins to 5ft 9ins, of proportionate build, clean shaven with a ruddy complexion.

He was wearing a black woollen hat, a black leather zip-up jacket and blue jeans.

The two men have striking similarities and police have said they are not ruling anything out at this stage of their inquiries.

Detective Sergeant Steve Mounsey said: "We are keeping an open mind about the attackers as both of the impressions do look similar.

"Both of the incidents are in the forefront of our minds at the moment, but we can't just jump to conclusions.

"We have got to take things one step at a time."

Anyone who may be able to identify the man or who can assist in the police's investigations should contact Burnley CID on 01282 472140 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.