A WOMAN was pounced on and indecently assaulted by a hooded man as she made her way to work.

Police said the incident could have been even more serious had it not been for a passer-by who disturbed the attacker.

The woman, who is in her 40s, was walking to work in Ormerod Street, Accrington, near the Globe Centre, at 7am yesterday when a man approached her and tried to start a conversation He then pushed her over a low wall opposite the Globe Centre car park before jumping on top of her and carrying out an indecent assault.

A passer-by saw the attack and shouted over and the man fled in the direction of Brown Street.

Det Sgt Paul Ryan said: "We are treating this as a very serious incident.

"Fortunately the victim was not seriously injured but that could have only been because of the interruption by the passer-by.

"The woman did not require hospital treatment but she is very shaken by the incident.

"We would like anybody who was in the Ormerod Street area at that time who may have seen the offender before or after the incident to come forward. We also need to see if he was seen running off along Brown Street."

The attacker was described as Asian, in his mid 20s, 5ft10in tall and broad, with stubble and a hooked nose.

He was wearing a hooded top with the hood up, and dark jeans.

Anyone with information is asked to call Accrington CID on 01254 353741 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.