A FLASHER who indecently exposed himself to a student is being hunted by police.

The 20-year-old university student was walking home along the banks of the River Wear in Durham City yesterday afternoon when the incident happened.

The woman was walking at the rear of St Oswald's Church towards Prebends Bridge at around 3pm and saw a man aged around 40-years-old ahead of her.

He walked up some nearby steps but, after she had passed by, he followed and said "Excuse me".

As she turned round, he unzipped his trousers and exposed himself.

PC Ged Cooke said: "The victim was also aware of a couple walking past and it's possible they have information which might help us identify the suspect."

The flasher is described as being 5ft 9ins tall and of medium build.

He has dark brown hair, short at the sides and back, longer and ruffled on the top, with distinctive grey at the top of his sideburns.

He has a long, thin nose and stubble on his face. The man spoke with a local accent and was wearing cream cotton trousers, a dark jacket and well-worn shoes.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to ring Durham City police on 0845 6060 365 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.