Man hunted in historical sex case

Anyone who recognises the van's description should call police

Detectives are trying to trace a sex attacker who abused a four-year-old girl in Lancashire 11 years ago.

The victim was approached by the man in Regent Road, Chorley, after falling off her bicycle in October 1997.

He took her inside a white van to put a plaster on her knee, but then sexually assaulted her.

The man was white, aged in his 50s with white or grey hair and was plump and very scruffy. Anyone with information is asked to contact police.

The van he was driving was possibly a white Bedford Rascal van, with cardboard obscuring the back window.

Det Insp Graham Coates, who is leading the investigation, said: "I appreciate that this incident happened more than 10 years ago but there is a chance that someone out there is able to cast their mind back and recollect something that could help us with our investigation.

"I would like to speak to anybody who thinks they may know a man who matched that description and who drove a small white van at the time.

"If you think you may have known the man or come into contact with him at the time but haven't seen or spoken to him since we would still really like you to come forward."

The girl, who is now 16, disclosed her ordeal last year.