POLICE are appealing for witnesses after an assault occurred in Trowbridge last Friday at 1pm in the Shires shopping centre.

A male worker at the newly opened rent-to-own store BrightHouse, who was dressed as a bear for promotional work, was approached by a group of six to 10 male teenagers who went onto hurl racist abuse at him and two of the youths punched him.

After walking off they returned 15 to 20 minutes later and again hit the man, who was an agency worker brought in for the store's opening last week. He was not injured but was upset about the incident.

One of the party involved was of stocky build and wearing a green sweatshirt, while another was wearing a beanie hat.

The incident occurred as part of the Shires Shopping Centre's newest store promotional opening, which involved the bear mascots, facepainting sessions and music from a DJ.

A BrightHouse spokesperson said they couldn't reveal the identity of the individual involved, an agency worker hired for the day, but that they were alarmed by the incident.

“We are shocked that someone helping to entertain families in Trowbridge was subjected to such an attack, and urge anyone with information to respond to the police appeal," they said.

Anyone who witnessed the incident is asked to contact PC Louise Oakley 2413 at Trowbridge Police Station on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.