A MIDDLE-aged woman hurled racial abuse at an elderly tourist and her family.

The culprit, who was on her own driving a car, shouted at them across the street before driving off.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the racially aggravated public order offence in Dulverton on Saturday, August 1.

The victims, who are from Liverpool and were holidaying in Somerset, were a 63-year-old woman and her family members.

During the incident, they were standing outside The Lion Hotel, in Bank Square, at around 7pm.

The woman driver, who was in a blue estate car, then drove off towards Lady Street.

The offender is described as white, with short blonde hair and aged between 45 and 55.

Investigating officer PC Gareth Jose said: “This was a distressing incident and it is saddening that the victims, who were tourists on holiday, will take home a negative impression of our area.

“The abuse took place in broad daylight in a busy location and we believe that there were several witnesses.

"We’d ask anyone who saw the incident and could help us identify the offender to get in touch with us.

“I’d like to reassure the victim that hate has no place in Avon and Somerset and that we take all reports of hate crime extremely seriously.”

If you can help, contact police on 101, quoting reference 5220174585.