A 16-YEAR-old girl fought off an attacker who tried to drag her off a main road as she walked home from college.

The teenager got off a bus in Bolton Road, near Blackburn’s Ewood Park, and was walking along Jack Walker Way when the man tried to pull her towards some industrial bins set back from the main road.

The girl put up a fight and managed to free herself from the grip of her attacker and run home.

Police said she suffered minor facial injuries and was left very shaken up.

The incident happened at around 7pm on Friday as the Blackburn College student walked home.

Detectives believe the attack may have been sexually motivated, however, at this stage, they said they could not rule out robbery as a motive.

DI Simon Upton said: “We are asking anyone who was in the Fernhurst and Ewood areas on Friday night around 7pm to 7.30pm to consider whether they saw a man fitting the description or noticed anyone acting suspiciously.

“Any information could prove to be vital.

“This was a particularly nasty incident, but I would like to reassure residents that these types of incidents are still very rare and that we will do everything we can to catch the perpetrator.”

The attacker was white, in his late 20s or early 30s. He was 5ft 10ins and stocky with a shaved or bald head.

He was wearing a black jumper, thought to have had an Umbro logo on it.

Police are appealing for witnesses and are increasing their presence in the area.

Anyone with information is urged to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.