POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a man was attacked in broad daylight in a North Yorkshire town.

A man in his 20s was walking near Sowerby Flatts, in Thirsk, at around 8am today. (FRI) As he crossed the footbridge, which crosses Cod Beck, he was approached by a man who assaulted him.

The suspect is described as white, around 6ft to 6ft 3ins and was wearing a grey hooded top and grey tracksuit bottoms with stripes down the legs.

He was aged about 20 and described as having a 'baby face' with blue eyes and fair or light coloured eyebrows.

The suspect may have sustained an injury to his face during the incident. Inspector Tim Osborne of Thirsk Safer Neighbourhood Team said: “Thirsk is a very safe place to live and this type of offence at this time of day is very unusual.

“We believe this is an isolated incident and we are seeking the help of the public who were around and about during Friday morning.”

Anyone with any information should contact Northallerton CID on 0845 6060247 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Police are particularly interested in speaking to a man seen walking his spaniel dog in the area.