POLICE are searching for a man wearing a balaclava who performed a 'lewd act' in front of a dogwalker in her 50s at the weekend.

Officers are calling for anyone with information to come forward after the incident, which happened on a path to the right hand side of the play area in Bradpole Park, off Bradpole Road, Bournemouth, at 12.35pm on September 29.

The victim was walking her dog along the path when she became aware of movement in the bushes.

A man came out of the bushes with his trousers down and performed a 'lewd act', police say.

The woman shouted at the man and he slowly walked back into the wooded area.

Police say the suspect is described as white, aged in his 20s and slim.

He was wearing a balaclava so only his eyes and nose were visible and a blue tracksuit.

PC Dave Wilcox, of North Bournemouth police, said: “I am aware that a number of people were in that area of the park at the time of the incident and I would ask anyone who saw this man or has any information that may assist my investigation to please contact me.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police via dorset.police.uk, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55190153685.