POLICE have issued an e-fit picture and made a new appeal for information about a man who made "inappropriate" comments to a seven-year-old girl in a North-East town.

He spoke to the girl as she walked along a path beside a scout hut in Wilson Street, Barnard Castle, County Durham, at about 12.30pm on Saturday.

Police Sergeant Bill Dutton said: "We urge anyone who recognises this man to get in touch with us. If the man recognises himself, it would be in his interest to contact us.

"We are still not certain whether or not he committed any offence but the words he is said to have used to the girl are inappropriate and are giving us cause for concern."

After the incident the girl ran home to tell her parents, and they immediately called the police.

A search was made but no trace was found of the man.

He was aged about 30, white, about 5ft 6in, with spiky short black hair. He had a goatee-style beard. He was wearing a gray coat, and black trousers, and was possibly carrying plastic shopping bags.

Anyone who recognises the man, or saw him in the area on Saturday, is asked to call Detective Constable Joanne Wright on (01388) 603566.