POLICE are appealing for help in tracing a man who indecently assaulted an eight-year-old girl as she chose sweets in the confectionery aisle at Woolworths in Gillingham High Street.

A man lifted the girl's skirt and indecently assaulted her before carrying on along the aisle. The girl's grandmother did not see the assault, but noticed she had become nervous and unsettled.

The pair left the store and walked down the High Street. When they reached the junction with James Street, the grandmother noticed a man was following them.

The pair into a cafe and the man walked past the window, turned and returned to the High Street. The girl then told her grandmother the man had assaulted her.

He was seen in the High Street near Lunn Poly some time before the assault occurred between 3.45pm and 4.15pm on Good Friday.

He is white, in his early 20s, between 5ft 5in and 5ft 7in, clean-shaven, and has short, spiked blond hair. He wore a white shirt, blue denim jacket and light blue trousers.

Det Con Steve Shorter said: "We are very concerned about this incident. Any members of the public who saw this man hanging around Gillingham High Street or in Woolworth should contact us immediately.

"It was Good Friday which should make it easier for people to remember. Someone must have seen this man approach the young girl. We need to identify him before it happens again."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Medway Police on 01634 884252 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.