YORK Police are hunting a man who lashed out at a cyclist on the banks of the River Ouse, injuring his face.

The 42-year-old man was cycling near York Rowing Club, towards Scarborough Bridge, when he was slapped in the face, suffering a slight injury above his right eye.

The attacker was in a group of four men in their late teens or early 20s, drinking from beer cans, who were walking in the opposite direction at about 4.30pm. The assailant is described as between 6ft 4ins and 6ft 6ins tall, of slim build and with short, dark hair.

He was wearing a dark T-shirt and dark trousers and was carrying a black dustbin liner and a dark holdall with a Nike sports logo. A spokeswoman for York Police confirmed that officers had received a report of an assault on a cyclist on the riverside path.

Anyone with information, or who recognises this description, is asked to phone York Police on 01904 631321.

Updated: 10:50 Wednesday, June 11, 2003