POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a 36-year-old man from Blackburn was subjected to a serious sexual assault.

The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had gone to Avenham Park, Preston, for a personal meeting.

After the meeting, he went for a walk in the park, before crossing the River Ribble using a footbridge.

In land between the Ribble and Factory Lane, the man was approached by two men.

They asked him for sex. When he refused he was subjected to a serious sexual assault.

The first man is described as a white, 5'2'' tall, with short black hair, a long face and stubble. He was wearing a black zip-up jacket, black trousers and black leather shoes.

The second man is also white, 5'6'' tall, light brown hair, thin build, clean shaven with distinctive piercings. He was wearing a gold earring in his right lobe and further up in the same ear, two studs.

A spokesman for Leyland CID said: "It is known as an area where people congregate. This was a particularly serious attack and we are appealing to anyone who may have been in the area on Thursday at around 3.30pm.

"Anyone who remembers seeing three men, or two males matching the descriptions should contact the police."

Anyone with information should call Leyland CID on 01772 433561 or Crimestoppers on 01772 209846.