French national Kristoffer Beddar, 21, of Daisy Hill Drive, Adlington, Chorley, will appear at Chorley Magistrates' Court on Friday morning after being questioned and charged over the attack on the 14-year-old.

Jessica was found "covered in blood" by a cyclist alerted by her screams after the attack in Astley Park, Astley Village around 5.15pm on Monday.

She remains in a critical but stable condition at Manchester Children's Hospital.

Beddar is originally from France but has been living with members of his English family, police said.

Detective Superintendent Steve Brunskill, from Lancashire Police, said: "The fact that we have charged someone in relation to this offence does not mean our inquiry is at an end and I would like to renew my appeal for anyone with information to come forward, especially anyone who may have been in the park or surrounding area between 4.30pm and 5.30pm on Monday.

"We would like to speak to them because we feel they may have valuable information which could help our investigation.

"We are continuing to make detailed searches of the park area, in particular for the weapon we believe was used in this incident.

"If anyone does come across a knife they should not touch it, but contact police immediately."

The weapon is described as a 3in bladed lock knife with a steel handle and is steel-grey in colour.