POLICE are trying to trace a woman who assaulted a 10-year-old boy out shopping with his mother in the Boots store in Taunton.

The youngster's mother has told how the culprit walked up to her son and hit him in the face for no reason.

Officers have issued a CCTV image of a woman they would like to speak to in connection with the unprovoked incident in the High Street store on Tuesday of last week (August 6) at 8.52am.

Julie Traynor said she was walking towards the front of the shop with Reg behind her.

She said: "I heard a noise and turned to see my son crying and holding his chin.

"He told me that a lady had hit him. I confronted the woman and she denied it and carried on walking.

"I shouted to members of staff in Boots to get the manager, telling them what had happened.

"The deputy manager followed the woman out of the store whilst police were called.

"The CCTV clearly shows the woman striking out at my son, who did nothing to provoke or warrant this action."

Ms Traynor, who reported the attack to police, said the woman simply walked off.

She described the assailant as a woman in her mid-50s with long brown hair and was wearing a floral dress.

An Avon and Somerset Police spokesman said the woman appeared to stop next to the boy before striking him on the cheek with a plastic toy.

Anyone who can help the police investigation should call 101 and give the call handler the reference number 5219180367.

Alternatively you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800-555111.