An appeal has been launched after a woman alleged she had been sexually assaulted at a North East supermarket last month.

Northumbria Police have released an image of a man they wish to speak to in connection with the alleged incident at Sainsbury's on Newsteads Drive, in Whitley Bay on April 19.

Police said they received a report that a man had approached a woman inside the store and reportedly "grabbed her on the bottom" before walking away.The Northern Echo:

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The woman was left distressed by the incident.

A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: "Officers investigating a report of a sexual assault have released the image of a man they would like to trace.

"On April 19, police received a report that a man had approached a woman inside Sainsbury’s on Newsteads Drive in Whitley Bay, and grabbed her on the bottom before walking away.

"The woman was left upset and distressed by the incident and reported it to police."

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"Enquiries have been ongoing since the report came in and today (Tuesday) officers have issued the photo of a man they would like to trace.

"He was thought to be in the area at the time, and may have information which can assist."

The man, anyone who knows him, or anyone with information is asked to contact police using the ‘Tell us Something’ page on our website, quoting log 048904G/23.