Police in Preston are hunting a man who is alleged to have approached an Asian man and racially verbally abused him in the middle of a local store.

The alleged incident happened in the Somerfield store, Deepdale Road, Preston, at about 2.50pm, on August 9, when the man is said to have approached a 19-year-old Asian man before racially abusing him.

The aggrieved was left shaken by the incident, police said.

Despite extensive police investigations all lines of inquiries have proved fruitless and police are now appealing for the local community to offer assistance in identifying the offender who is believed to live locally.

The image captured on store cameras shows a white man, about 18-years-old or older, with short fair hair, about 5ft 9ins tall, slim, wearing a dark track suit.

Chief Inspector Nikki Evans said: "Preston is a diverse and tolerant city which makes this crime all the more unusual.

"It is behaviour which will not be tolerated. I would appeal to any one who has any information about this criminal to contact us or speak anonymously to Crimestoppers."

Contact PC Mark Spinks on 01772 203203 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.