British Transport Police (BTP) is appealing for information after a train conductor was head butted.

CCTV stills have been released in a bid to identify a man they would like to speak to in connection with the attack on August 20.

Detective Constable Nigel Craig said the assault took place when the 11.16pm Redhill to Horsham Southern service had stopped at Crawley.

The attack left the 38-year-old victim with a fractured cheekbone.

"The conductor asked a man to get off the train at the next stop because he was smoking and being abusive," DC Craig said.

"The man got off the train at Crawley around 11.40pm but head butted and punched the member of staff on the platform, leaving him with a fractured cheekbone and cuts above his right eye."

Police were called to the scene but the man fled the station before officers arrived.

DC Craig added: "Why the man felt he had the right to head butt a member of staff who was simply doing his job is inconceivable.

"Although this sort of violence is rare on the rail network, I am treating this incident very seriously. Everybody has a right to go to work without fear of verbal or physical attack.

"We've made local enquiries as part of the investigation, spoken with witnesses and ask anyone who recognises this man to come forward."

David Hynes, head of security at Southern, said: "This was a particularly vicious and unprovoked attack on one of Southern's conductors who was simply doing his job to ensure that our passengers could travel safely.

"If anyone thinks they know the individual concerned I would urge them to contact the police"

Call British Transport Police on Freefone 0800 40 50 40 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.