SCHOOLCHILDREN were today to be questioned by detectives hunting a brutal sex attacker who raped a 15-year-old Accrington girl.

The girl was attacked on wasteground close to Accrington Cricket Club as she walked home from school last Wednesday at about 4.20pm.

Police officers yesterday attended a school to try to find other pupils who may have seen the man.

Detective Chief Inspector Tony Green of Lancashire Police said: "We have had a number of schoolchildren come forward to suggest that they have seen the man. They will be interviewed today."

Witnesses said they saw a man following other girls as they walked home from school. And another woman believes she saw the rapist at the crime scene a week before the attack.

The man was white, in his early 20s, 5ft 6in, slim and clean shaven. He wore ripped light blue jeans, a light brown suede jacket and dark brown woollen hat.

Information to the incident room on 01254 353711, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

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