A MAN from Nelson has been charged with the rape of a 14-year-old girl in Burnley.

Nassar Iqbal, aged 30, has been charged with rape, sexual assault and robbery, Lancashire Police said.

Officers launched an investigation into reports that a teenage girl was raped near to the Charter Walk shopping centre car park on New Year's Day at around 9am.

Iqbal will appear before Blackburn Magistrates’ Court today.