A MOTHER of an eight-year-old girl indecently assaulted in a subway has backed a head teacher's fight to make the area safe.

The mum said Keith Ellis, head of Pikes Lane school, was right when he branded the tunnel "terrifying".

She said her daughter was approached by a man and made to endure a terrifying 10 minute ordeal.

It has affected the child so much that now, more than a year on, she still has nightmares.

Her mother said: "The man took hold of her and told her not to cry out for help.

"He carried out his assault on her. My husband saw this man and intervened, but he got away.

"I find it disgusting that since then nothing has been done to increase security in the area.

"It's difficult to live, knowing your daughter has been a victim of a pervert.

"She cries about it and doesn't want to talk about it. She suffered a lot that day but I'm only glad it wasn't worse.

"My little girl was terrified for her life."

The attack took place last summer at the unlit subway which runs underneath the railway line from Pikes Lane to Spa Road, Deane.

It lies between Pikes Lane Primary and Gilnow Primary schools and is currently at the centre of a dispute over who owns it. As reported in the BEN, head teacher Mr Ellis said the 50 metre subway was so unnerving, children ran through it.

Bolton Council and Railtrack have both denied responsibility.

Railtrack said it was a public footpath under council control.

Jeff Layer, assistant director of the council's highways and engineering department, said it used to be British Rail's responsibility. He said he will speak with Railtrack to resolve the problem.