Police have released CCTV footage after a teenage girl was attacked in Chorlton.

The girl was on her paper round on Meadowbank in Chorltonville at about 7.40am on Thursday, March 31, when she was attacked from behind by a man.

He punched and threw her to the floor, but she fought back and he fled towards Brookburn Road. Local residents heard her shouts and came to her aid.

The man is described as black, slim, 5ft 7in tall, aged from 16-22 years old and wearing a black coat with a hood up, black jeans and black trainers.

Police have released CCTV footage of a man they want to speak to in connection with the attack.

DC David Kirk, of South Manchester division, said: “This was a vicious and totally unprovoked assault and it is just fortunate that the girl was not seriously injured.

“To attack an innocent girl is despicable and we have released CCTV in a bid to identify the man.

“The image of the man may jog someone’s memory that was in the area at the time and may have seen him. If you have any information that may help the investigation, please contact police.”

Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 0161 856 6151, 101, or via the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously, on 0800 555 111.