POLICE officers have issued an image of a woman they would like to speak with following an assault on a man during a hunt near to Sturminster Newton.

The incident happened at around 3.25pm on Wednesday December 19 last year during a Portman Hunt event in the area of Crate Hill in Fifehead St. Quintin.

A 63-year-old Somerset man was watching the event when he was approached by a woman on a horse and struck round the head with a riding crop, police officers say.

Police Constable Patrick McLoughlin, of North Dorset police, said: “Following extensive enquiries we are now able to release a photo of a woman we would like to track down and speak with in relation to this incident.

“This was an unprovoked assault on a man at a prestigious Dorset event, and we are very keen to find the person responsible.

“Luckily the victim did not require any hospital treatment, but was obviously left shaken by the ordeal.

“The rider’s horse is quite distinctive in that it has a white mark just above its eyes and also on its nose.

“Witnesses and anyone with information should contact police as soon as possible in the strictest confidence.”

No arrests have been made.

Witnesses and anyone with information should call Dorset Police on 101 quoting incident number 19:275 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.