A SEX pest cyclist is being hunted after attacking three lone women.

Police are urging women to be extra vigilant and called for the public to help track down the attacker before he strikes again.

The three women, in their 20s and 40s, have been left too scared to speak about their ordeals.

In the worst incident a 20-year-old was walking along a canal path in Albion Street, Mill Hill when she was approached by a man who punched her to the face, knocking her to the ground.

Police said he tried to hold her down but she fought him off and fled the scene on Tuesday, November 6 at 7.40pm.

The second incident occurred just 20 minutes later when a 24-year-old woman was walking along Abraham Street, Highercroft, and was approached by a man pushing a mountain bike who exposed himself and made sexual innuendoes towards her before making off.

And the latest attack happened on Tuesday between 7.45pm and 7.55pm when a 46-year-old woman was walking to work.

Police said that as she walked along Church Street she noticed a suspicious man on a mountain bike. When she turned onto Ainsworth Street in the town centre she was approached from behind by a man who grabbed her bottom before cycling away.

Detective Constable Mark Brennan said: "Clearly these incidents were very frightening for the three women involved and it is important we catch the offender now before he commits any further crimes.

"I would urge women to be extra vigilant and report anything suspicious to the police.

"We believe this man was responsible for all three offences and I urge anyone with information to help us identify him to contact the police immediately."

The man was described as white, aged between 18 and 20, with short brown hair, medium build, between 5ft 5ins and 6ft tall and talked with a local accent.

On each occasion he wore a tracksuit and a cap and he rode a blue or black mountain bike.

One of the victims noticed he had a red mark on his face as though he had been scratched.

Anyone with information should contact Blackburn Police on 0845 1 25 35 45 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.