A respectable-looking man walked onto a railway station platform and proceeded to rip up flowerbeds and hanging baskets.

Police are hoping somebody will recognise the culprit, who was captured shredding the blooms on CCTV at Bedale Railway Station in North Yorkshire.

It is cared for by volunteers running Wensleydale Railway, who have been left upset at the vandalism.

The man was accompanied by a Golden Retriever and was recorded trespassing on to the railway line before stepping up onto the platform to destroy the flowers on the evening of July 4, North Yorkshire Police said today.

Acting Sergeant Kate Jones, of Richmond police, said: “The day-to-day running of the Wensleydale Railway is mainly conducted by volunteers. They are very upset about this incident as they say this is not the first time it has happened.

“I am appealing to the public to take a look at the image we have released and let us know if they recognise the man who is believed to be local to Bedale.”

Anyone who can help officers with their enquiries is urged to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101 – select option 2 – and ask for Kate Jones or Richmond police.

Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.