A SEX pest got more than he bargained for when he attacked a woman near a footbridge close to River Drive, Padiham.

As he tried to rip off her top, the spirited 46-year-old kneed him in the groin - after remembering her father's advice.

As he dropped to the ground in agony she ran home and reported the incident to the police.

The assault happened just before 11pm last night and police are appealing for information to help trace the offender.

The woman who was not hurt although shaken by the attack, said at her Padiham home: "It happened so quickly, I just reacted on the spur of the moment. "But I remembered what my dad told me when I was a young girl about what to do in a situation like that."

The attacker is described as white, 5ft 9in with wavy ginger hair. He was wearing a green jacket.

Detective Sergeant Peter McKendrick said: "The intended victim is certainly a spirited lady and gave him more than he bargained for.''

Police are hoping she can give more details of her attacker when she is interviewed again today.

Det Sgt McKendrick said there was no reason at this stage to link the incident with other sex pest cases in the general area.

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