DETECTIVES have released images of a man wanted over a sex act on an early morning train.

British Transport Police said the man, who is believed to live in the Thirsk area, boarded the TransPennine Express service at 6am on Friday, 20 June, at York, having paid in cash to upgrade his ticket to Thirsk.

PC Ryan Griffiths said the offender sat near a 50-year-old woman, from Sutton under Whitestonecliffe, near Thirsk, and initially exposed himself to her, before performing an indecent act.

Both the man and the victim left the train at Thirsk, where she reported the incident to the train guard.

PC Griffiths added: “I am confident the man in the CCTV image will have key information about the incident and ask anyone who recognises him to come forward.

"When the man left the station he walked down a secluded rural footpath which is only really used by locals so we believe he may reside in the Thirsk area."

Anyone with information should call police on 0800-405-040 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800-555-111.