A SEX beast dragged a woman into a garden and attacked her after telling her he was armed with a knife.

The assault, which police believe may be linked to a similar incident last week, has prompted police to warn women not to walk alone.

The 27-year-old victim was walking home along Reynolds Street towards Glen View Road, Burnley, at about 4am on Saturday when she realised she was being followed. As she approached Gainsborough Avenue, the man grabbed hold of her and pulled her into a garden, saying he had a knife.

He then indecently assaulted her and fled.

The assault has echoes of an attack on a teenager in Colne on Friday, August 27, when a15-year-old was walking near the Phillip's Lane chip shop, Burnley Road, Colne, and an attacker dragged her into a back street and assaulted her.

Police today said the woman had been left traumatised by the attack.

Detectives are not ruling out the possibility that the two incidents are linked.

Police said in the latest incident a man was seen driving a red Ford car along Manchester Road and Reynolds Street before the assault.

Detective Inspector Steve Chard, who is leading the hunt for the attacker, said: "We are following a number of lines of enquiry, but as yet we have not identified the offender.

"I am appealing for members of the public to get in contact if they have any idea as to the identity of the person responsible.

"He may well have committed other indecent acts towards women in the past, which have not been reported to the police.

"This was a serious crime and I know that someone reading this description of the offender and the car will hold the key to his identity.

"I would like to reassure people that these particular offences are rare, but I would advise women not to walk alone in quiet areas late at night or in the early hours of the morning."

The attacker was described as white, 30 to 45 years, 5ft 4-5ins and of medium build with short brown hair. He was wearing a red Kangol anorak, a blue baseball cap and stone-washed blue jeans.

Anyone with information should call Burnley Police on 01282 425001 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.