NIGHTCLUBBERS are being urged to help track down a rapist who attacked a mother of two as she enjoyed an evening out with friends.

The 41-year-old victim was pounced on after arriving at the Roxy club on Market Street, Darwen, just after 12.30am yesterday.

She raised the alarm almost three hours later after staggering to a house several miles away, on Longshaw Lane, in the Infirmary area of Blackburn.

Police said the woman can not remember details of the attack or where exactly it happened, but medical tests have backed up her story that she was the victim of a rape and a serious sexual assault.

Officers are now appealing for nightclubbers who saw the victim, who was wearing trainers, blue jeans, a blue denim jacket and a white sun top, to contact them.

The woman had been drinking with friends at Uncle Jack's pub in Lower Darwen, earlier in the evening.

The group then travelled by taxi to the club and the woman's friends have told police they last saw her crouching by a wall outside.

Det Insp Terry Richardson said: "It is unclear whether the victim left the club on foot or in a vehicle.

"But we want to speak to anyone who may have seen her between 12.30am and 3.30am."

Police can be contacted on 01254 51212.

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