A woman was sexually assaulted after she and a friend got into a car, believed to be a private taxi, following a night out in Preston.

Police are now urging party-goers to be vigilant and prearrange their transport home during the festive season.

And they are appealing for witnesses who may have seen the two women get into the silver saloon in the early hours of Sunday morning at about 1pm.

The 21-year-old victim had been enjoying a night out with her friend on Saturday evening.

After leaving Tokyo Jo's night club, Church Street, at about 1.30pm, they walked down Glover's Court and got into the vehicle.

The driver dropped her friend off in the Lostock Hall area before subjecting the woman to a sexual assault.

Police have issued a CCTV photograph of the car they believed picked the women up, and are appealing for witnesses, especially four youths who got out of the vehicle before the women got in.

Officers also want to speak to people who were in the Church Road and Glover's Court area in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Detective Sergeant John Wilkinson said: "We know from viewing the CCTV footage that four lads got out of the vehicle before the girls got into it and we really need to speak to them to eliminate them from our inquiries.

"We also know that there were some people standing opposite Glover's Court that would have probably seen these two girls and we would like anyone who was in the vicinity that may have seen something to come forward.

"Another point that may jog people's memory is that we know that one of the girls was ill prior to getting into the taxi."

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Leyland CID on 01772 415847 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.