Police are hunting a thug who punched a female rail worker in the face after she asked him to show a ticket.

Shocking footage of the assault at Manchester Piccadilly station shows the man lifting a child over the barriers.

Police said the man, who knocked the child's head while lifting her over the barrier, became agitated after being asked to show a ticket.

He then "turned to the staff member and punched her in the face" during the attack on July 19, British Transport Police said.

While shocked passengers looked on, the man then pushed his way through the barriers before calmly walking away carrying the child.

A police spokesman said the victim suffered bruising and swelling and was signed off work for a time after the assault.

BTP said in a statement: "A man is reported to have become agitated after being asked to show a ticket.

"He lifted a child over the barriers, in the process knocking her head, and then turned to the staff member and punched her in the face."

Manchester Piccadilly station's Twitter feed added: "Please can we have your help with retweeting this to identify the man involved in this horrific attack at Manchester Piccadilly."

Anyone with information about the attack is asked to contact BTP by texting 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40 and quoting reference 201 of 19/07/19.