A PYSCHIATRIST has been brought in by police to try and help catch a serial flasher.

He was brought in to help the dedicated team of six detectives trying to catch the pervert who has indecently exposed himself to youngsters and women in the Burnley area.

The man is believed to have committed at least 13 offences mainly in parks and the canal towpath.

Det Sgt Dave Fleming said there had been a good response to appeals for information.

He said: "It is now down to a steady hard slog of going through all the information in the system."

Consultant psychiatrist at Burnley Health Care Trust, Dr Mike Launer, said he believed the person responsible was doing it for effect and to generate a response from the victim whether it was a child running away or a woman making a comment to him.

The fact that he exposed himself to young boys, teenage girls or women in their 40s indicated he was not too bothered what response he got.

He had possibly had an abnormal relationship with his mother which was no longer appropriate now he had grown up.

It was not a mental illness as such but a deviation of personality, an extreme part of the normal which now resulted in anti social tendencies.

The behaviour was his way of finding a relief of stress in his life. He believed it was very unlikely that it would lead to more serious incidents.

The offender who dresses in cycling gear and has been seen on a mountain bike is believed to have struck seven times between August 6 and 18 and six times in February and March.

Police are also investigating the possibility that he might have been responsible for offences before that.

He is described as white, aged 30-40, and wearing white cycling shorts and shirt. He has been seen in different types of headgear.

Anyone with information is asked to contact DS Fleming on 01282 472173 or ring Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.