A CYCLIST who was attacked and suffered a volley of venomous abuse for riding along the prom at Felixstowe today spoke of her terrifying experience.Liz King, who was struck on the shin and back by a man with a walking stick, was left shocked after the incident, and said she never expected to be threatened in such a manner at the quiet resort she has made her home.

A CYCLIST who was attacked and suffered a volley of venomous abuse for riding along the prom at Felixstowe today spoke of her terrifying experience.

Liz King, who was struck on the shin and back by a man with a walking stick, was left shocked after the incident, and said she never expected to be threatened in such a manner at the quiet resort she has made her home.

"It scared the living daylights out of me. It was so intimidating and horrible," said Mrs King, of Manor Terrace, Felixstowe.

"I lived in the East End of London and I never felt threatened or in fear to be out alone, and then this happens in lovely quiet Felixstowe. I couldn't believe it.

"Cycling on the prom must be this man's pet hate, but there are ways of talking to people about it without verbally and physically threatening them.

"He seemed to me like an absolute nutter. I fear for children who may cycle along there."

Mrs King, 31, accepts it is wrong to cycle on the prom but would only ever do it at quiet times and never consider it when it was busy.

"I would never cycle on there on a Sunday or in high summer when lots of people are about and I am always careful about it. It is the safest route to work for me," said Mrs King, who works at the Remnants Shop in Hamilton Road.

The incident happened at about 11.50am on April 22 in Sea Road.

A man walked off the beach and marched across the prom and held his walking stick out in front of her and blocked her path.

"I had to stop because he was blocking my way. He started shouting 'This is not a cycle path. It's a promenade, it's for walking on. You are not allowed on here'," she said.

"He was shouting with such venom. You could not have argued with him - I just kept my mouth shut. Eventually, I said 'Excuse me' and tried to cycle off and he hit my on the shin with his stick."

She tried again to get away but he repeated his abuse and tried to put the stick in her back wheel, and then struck her on the back as she rode away.

Police are trying to trace the man and have appealed for anyone who saw the assault or the man in the area to get in touch with them.

He is white, about 50, of medium build, and around 6ft 1 inch tall, with short grey receding hair, and slight stubble on his face. He was wearing a gunmetal grey bomber jacket, black T-shirt and black trousers.

Anyone with information should call Felixstowe police on 01473 613500.

Although various ideas have been examined concerning cycling on the prom, resort co-ordinator for Suffolk Coastal, Michelle Barr said riding on the walkway was still prohibited by by-laws and resort staff reminded bike owners of this daily.

nWhat do you think of cycling on the prom? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail EveningStarLetters@eveningstar.co.uk