A 16-year-old boy was left with a broken nose when he was "headbutted in the face" after he asked a man for cigarette paper.

British Transport Police (BTP) is appealing for the public’s help in identifying a man after a the boy was assaulted at Littlehampton station over the festive season.

Officers have released a CCTV image of a man they want to speak to, following the incident on Saturday, December 27.

DC Vanessa Cottington, leading the investigation, said: “Just after 8.30pm, a man approached a 16-year-old boy at Littlehampton station.

“He asked him for a cigarette paper, which quickly lead to an argument, in which the man picked up the boy and headbutted him in the face.

“It is believed the man left on a train. The boy, from Littlehampton, required hospital treatment for a broken nose.”

Officers have been pursuing several lines of enquiry, leading to today’s release of an image of a man they want to trace.

DC Cottington said: “Who is the man in the distinctively-branded top? We want to speak to him, as we think he has crucial information about what happened that evening. We are also keen to speak with any witnesses who have not yet come forward to police.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40, or text 61016, quoting reference B9/SSUB of 29/01/2015.

Information can also be passed anonymously to independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.