A man has been charged with raping a 12-year-old boy after luring him into woodland with a story about a missing dog.

Craig Bennett, 44, also known as Craig Preece, of no fixed abode, is accused of two counts of raping a child, kidnap with intent to rape and making threats to kill, Lancashire Police said.

Bennett is alleged to have tricked the youngster into accompanying him a wooded area in Sudellside, Darwen, near Blackburn, Lancashire, by promising him £10 to help search for his missing pet.

The youngster was subjected to a brutal sexual assault on Wednesday.

Bennett is due to appear before Blackburn Magistrates' Court on Saturday.