POLICE have warned women not to go on a footpath alone following a savage attack on a young mum.

The 30-year-old victim was cycling along the disused railway track from Gipsy Bridge, Hapton, towards Printers Fold, Lowerhouse, Burnley, when she was knocked off her mountain bike by a masked man.

He punched her repeatedly about the head then dragged the dazed victim to her feet. He was pulling her back towards a disused footbridge when she fought back and freed herself from his grasp.

Police have praised her bravery. DC Dave Hindle said: "It was a particularly nasty attack and I shudder to think what might have happened if she had not managed to escape.

"We can only speculate as to his motive. There was no sex attack and she was not robbed.

"But this is a very dangerous man and we are advising women not to use that path until he is caught.''

The attacker is white, possibly in his 30s, 5ft 6ins tall with a beer belly.

He spoke with a local accent and was wearing an old-style long-sleeved football shirt, orange with a white collar and cuffs.

He was also wearing black track suit bottoms and a black balaclava mask.

His victim sustained injuries to the left leg and bruises.

Her cycle was later recovered from the scene.

DC Hindle said: "With it being such a beautiful day there was a surprising number of people about.

The attack happened shortly before 4pm yesterday and police are appealing for anyone who was in the area from about 3.30 to 4.15pm to come forward.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Burnley CID on 01282-425001.

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