A MAN who appeared angry at a woman cycling illegally on Felixstowe's promenade attacked her as she rode by, police said today.The 31-year-old woman suffered bruising after the man shouted at her and then hit her with his walking stick.

A MAN who appeared angry at a woman cycling illegally on Felixstowe's promenade attacked her as she rode by, police said today.

The 31-year-old woman suffered bruising after the man shouted at her and then hit her with his walking stick.

Officers are now trying to trace the man and have appealed for anyone who may have seen the assault to get in touch with them.

A police spokeswoman said the woman was cycling along the prom in Sea Road around 11.50am on Thursday April 22 when the incident happened.

The woman noticed a man walking up the beach towards her. He then stepped into her path and shouted for her to get off her cycle.

He then struck her on her shin with his walking stick.

The woman, who was distressed by the man's behaviour, was then assaulted again as she cycled away.

The man is described as white, about 50 years old, of medium build, and around 6ft 1 inch tall. He has short grey receding hair, and slight stubble on his face.

He was wearing a gunmetal grey bomber jacket, black T-shirt and black trousers.

Police are asking anyone who may have been in the area at the time, or who may have information about the incident, to call Felixstowe police on 01473 613500.

Cycling on the prom has been controversial for many years at Felixstowe - and is still not permitted, though it is tolerated by many walkers.

A number of cyclists use it as a way of getting to and from work and cycle early in the morning or in the evening when it is not busy and as long as their riding is sensible most people accept it.

Tourism officers at Suffolk Coastal have been looking at a number of possible solutions, including a cycle lane, but so far no proposals have been brought forward.

nDo you think cycling should be allowed on the promenade? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk