POLICE are appealing for witnesses and information after a local teenager was assaulted on the beach at Lyme Regis.

The unprovoked attack happened at Back Beach on Wednesday, June 26, at around 4 pm while a 17-year-old man was sat talking with his girlfriend. The man that officers want to speak to accused the teenager of throwing a stone that had hit his wind shelter.

"The man began to hit the victim repeatedly about the face while he was still sat down on the beach and pushed him to the ground when the teenager attempted to get up and move away," explained PC Nigel Arak-Newman.

The victim received facial and neck injuries.

The attacker is described as 35 to 40 years of age, over 6ft tall and largely built. He did not have a local accent. His hair was of medium length, dark brown to black and was either greasy, gelled or wet. He was wearing shiny blue shorts and brown leather sandals and had a hairy body.

"The man, who may have been visiting the area on holiday, was with a woman who was also of a large build and the same age as the man. She was wearing a black full bodied swim suit and white shorts," added PC Arak-Newman.

Police are appealing for anyone who witnessed the incident to contact PC Arak-Newman, the community beat officer, at Lyme Regis police station, on 01297 442603 or the confidential Crimestoppers line on 0800 555111.