Updated at 7.41pm:

Lancashire Police have launched an investigation into an alleged sexual assault in a Preston car park.

The Market Street car park was cordoned off as detectives investigate an alleged incident involving a 23-year-old woman.

The incident took place at 3am on Monday morning.

A spokeswoman for the police said they expected to release more information

Earlier report:

Early this morning Preston Police attended an incident at one of the stairways leading up to the car park above the covered market in the city.

The stairwell close to the Iceland store was taped off by police and officers were in attendance redirecting anyone trying to gain access.

Although access to the car park itself was not restricted the stairwell itself was closed from at least 6am this morning and there is no access this evening as barriers and doors remain firmly locked.

Police at the scene were not forthcoming as to the reason for the tape and closure other than an ‘obstruction’ had forced them to bar access.