Rapist grabs woman on footpath

Officers are appealing for witnesses to the attack

Detectives are hunting a rapist who attacked a 26-year-old woman in Lancashire.

The woman was assaulted on a footpath in Skelmersdale at about 1900 GMT on Sunday evening.

She was walking on the path near to the River Tawd, close to Skelmersdale Library, when the man grabbed hold of her.

Police have described the attack as "vicious" and are appealing for witnesses.

Detectives are particularly keen to speak to two men and some children were in the area at the time, close to a nearby bandstand.

The rapist was white, in his 40s and was of chubby build. He had a large nose and was wearing a denim jacket.

Anyone with information about the attack is urged to contact police in Skelmersdale.