THIS is the face of the man police want to interview in connection with the rape of a woman in Padiham.

The attack took place around midnight on Saturday October 6. The victim, who is not local, had been seeing friends in the town.

After a visiting a few pubs in Padiham town centre, the woman became separated from her friends.

She then decided to make her own way back to her friend's house and was approached by a man driving a four-door saloon at the top of Slade Lane, close to the junction with Padiham by-pass.

The man stopped the car and offered her a lift. After a brief conversation, the woman got into the back of the car.

The man joined her in the back of the car and subjected her to a serious sexual assault.

He then drove off, dumping her at the side of the road.

Detectives say that the 37-year-old woman has been severely traumatised by the attack and this man must be caught.

They claim their investigation has been hampered by the fact that the woman is not familiar with the area and they need all the information they can get.

The man is described as Asian, between 35 and 40-years-old, medium build, clean shaven with short dark hair.

Detectives believe that during the assault the man may have sustained facial injuries. They are eager to talk to anyone who knows of a man fitting the description with scratches to his face.

Anyone with any information is urged to call DC Paul Hanson or DC Rachel Waine at Burnley CID on: 01282 472240.