A MOTHER today spoke of her horror after a man indecently assaulted her four-year-old daughter -- as police revealed he may have struck before.

The youngster -- who cannot be identified for legal reasons -- was approached while out playing near to her home at 1.30pm on Sunday, by a man who told her he had some kittens for her to look at in the back yard of an unoccupied house.

Police said the four-year-old was dragged into the rear yard of a house in the Bank Top area of Blackburn, and was indecently assaulted.

They said they were linking the attack to a number of other incidents reported in the area.

The mother of the young girl said she found her daughter screaming at her front door.

She said: "She came straight home and told me what had happened in between her tears.

"She was very frightened, but still managed to give a good description of the man.

"I fear for what this pervert will do next because people like this don't stop at doing this kind of thing once.

"It is heartbreaking for us to know what has happened to our little baby, we just want this man caught before anybody else has to go through the same thing or even worse."

Sergeant Paul Murphy, of Blackburn CID, said: "There is an investigation taking place and we are appealing for any witnesses to the assault or anybody with any information about the offence to come forward.

"The offender is described as being a white male, 30 years of age, approximately 6ft tall, short brown hair and wearing sunglasses.

"We are linking this to other similar incidents that have been reported in the same area and would like to hear from anybody who may have experienced anything similar or knows who this man is.

"Anyone with information can call myself at Blackburn CID on 01254 353569."

The girl's father added: "We are concerned now for our other children's safety as well as other kids in the area who are unaware of what has happened.

"It is not the first time that this kind of thing has happened around here, but perhaps now we have spoken about it and been able to build a good description of the man responsible for this offence, then he may be caught sooner rather than later."