POLICE in Taunton are appealing for witnesses after a female moped rider was assaulted at traffic lights in the town.

At around 3.25pm on Tuesday, May 1, the 16-year-old victim was riding her moped when she stopped at the junction of St James Street and Priory Avenue in Taunton.

As she pulled away, she had a near miss involving a dishevelled looking man riding an old fashioned bicycle.

The moped rider apologised, but was allegedly faced with a barrage of verbal abuse from the man who had ridden from St James Medical Centre.

As the girl rode away on her moped down Priory Avenue, she stopped at traffic lights at the junction with St Augustine's Street.

She then realised the man on his bicycle had pursued her.

He allegedly pulled up to her by the lights and shouted further abuse before striking her on the back of her helmet with his hand.

The victim suffered head pain as a result of the attack.

The man on the bicycle has been described as a white male aged around 45 years with short, light brown hair, which was wirey and just above the ears in length.

Police would like to speak to anyone who may have witnessed the assault or may have seen the original incident at the junction of St James Street.

You can call Crimestoppers on 0800-555111. You do not have to give your name and you could receive a reward.