Police 'seize car' as part of rape investigation

Officers were called to the back of Denville Avenue and Sevenoaks Drive at around 7.50pm and arrested a 21-year-old Blackpool man, the force said in a statement.

He was held on suspicion of rape and was still in custody this morning, it added.

One nearby resident said the area around her property was taped off from around 9pm, with police remaining on the scene most of the night.

"My car, which was parked outside of the property, has also been preserved as evidence and has been taken away by the police," she said.

"The police aren't able to tell me anything other than there has been an incident."

Another neighbour described the attack as 'awful' and said she was worried for her children.

She added: "It's a nice area round here. Well, it was."

The police statement read: "We were called at around 7.50pm last night following a report that a woman in her 20s had been sexually assaulted.

"The incident is believed to have taken place near to Denville Avenue, Thornton Cleveleys.

"A 21-year-old man from Blackpool was arrested on suspicion of rape and is currently in custody.

"The investigation is in its early stages and enquiries are on-going. Anyone with information can contact 101 quoting log 1157 of February 28."

The Gazette has asked the force for more information.