AN EVESHAM schoolgirl was left shocked and bruised after being attacked on her way to school.

Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward after a random and unprovoked attack on the young girl as she walked to school on Monday morning.

The girl, a year 9 pupil, was making her way to Prince Henry's High School when she was hit in the stomach by a man near the Railway Hotel on Evesham's High Street.

The man approached the girl between 8.50am and 9am and did not speak to her, take her property or make any demands. After hitting the schoolgirl the man continued walking towards the town centre.

As a result of the attack the girl sustained bruising to her stomach, which was originally treated when she arrived at school before she went along to her local doctors surgery later in the day.

Prince Henry's Headteacher Bernard Roberts commenting on the attack said: "The incident was reported as soon as she got to school as it was obviously a serious matter that had to be dealt with properly.

"Our own first aiders at the school treated the girl at first to give her a once over and she went to see her doctor as well."

The man is described as white, in his early twenties, about 5ft 7ins to 5ft 10ins tall and at the time of the attack he was wearing casual clothing including blue jeans.

Police spokesman Michael Vockins said: "There will have been a good number of people in the area at that time on a Monday morning.

"We would like to hear from anyone who saw the incident or saw a man answering this description in the vicinity at the time."

Anyone who has any information on the attack is asked to contact Evesham Police station on 08457 444888.