Police had maintained a presence outside the pub’s grounds during Friday Pic: Murray Walker

Police want to trace a dog walker and the driver of an orange car who they believe could have seen a serious sexual assault in Fulwood.

A 23-year-old woman was found unconscious near the Sherwood pub at 4am on Friday (21 October).

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Police had been called to reports of a disturbance at Barnacre Close, off Sherwood Way, and officers found the woman after a search.

Detective Superintendent Andrew Murphy, of Preston CID, said: “This was a serious sexual assault and we are working extremely hard to piece together exactly what happened.

“We would now like to speak to anyone with information – however small – that could assist with our enquiries.

“In particular we would like to trace the driver of an orange-coloured car and a man who was out walking his dogs, both of whom are believed to have been in the vicinity at the time of the assault.

“We would also like to reassure the public that we have stepped up patrols in the area and are doing everything we can to establish exactly what occurred.”

The woman is being cared for by specially trained officers, she had been in Royal Preston Hospital.

A 23-year-old man from Preston was arrested on Friday on suspicion of rape. Police confirmed on Sunday he has been released without charge.