A CYCLIST jumped a red light in Christchurch and “narrowly avoided” colliding with a class of schoolchildren.

Police have released a CCTV image of a man who ignored the traffic signals on Bridge Street on Friday, June 20.

The youngsters, aged nine to ten years old, were crossing the road at 10.55am when the bike careered towards them.

Concerned members of staff, who were supervising the children, challenged the man but the cyclist responded by swearing at the group before riding towards Purewell Cross.

PC Dave Williams, of Christchurch police, said following enquiries into the incident the force is now able to release an image.

“I would like to hear from the cyclist in order to ascertain exactly what happened,” he added.

“In particular, I would like to speak to a woman who was waiting at the red light in a taxi who offered to help the members of staff.

“Anyone who witnessed the incident or has seen somebody fitting the description in the area at the time should get in touch.”

The man is described as white and in his late twenties or early thirties. He has short dark hair and wore sunglasses, a dark T-shirt, red shorts and white trainers.

Witnesses and anyone with information should call Dorset Police in confidence on 101, quoting incident number 27:152.