Police are appealing for help to catch a man who punched a 17-year-old girl in the face in an unprovoked assault in a Mid Norfolk village.

The student, who lives in the Litcham area, was walking alone in Bittering Street, Gressenhall, near Dereham, towards the Swan pub when a man - believed to in his 30s - approached her.

He made suggestive remarks and after she turned down his approaches, he clenched his fist and hit her in the face.

The incident happened at about 9pm on Saturday March 12. The teenager still has bruising and swelling on her face.

She has just had an x-ray which has shown her cheekbone was not fractured.

The student was left distressed and shaken by the assault.

The man is described as about 5ft9 tall, of average build, with dark hair cut close to his head.

He was wearing a white T-shirt, dark trousers and he smelt as if he had been smoking.

Police want to hear from anyone who may have seen the assault or noticed a man acting suspiciously in the area around the times stated.

Anyone with information should contact PC Wendy Emmett at Dereham Police Station on 0845 456 4567.

Calls can also be made to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.