Police in Lancashire have appealed for information after a shop worker was apparently slapped across the face with a fish in a suspected phone prank.

CCTV images have been released of a young man and a woman the police are looking to speak with following the incident, which took place at the Asda store in Accrington.

The force said a 52-year-old member of staff working behind the fish counter was approached by a young woman, who began to inquire about the different types of fish available.

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Without warning, the girl picked up a large bream from the fish stall and slapped the employee around the face before running out of the store, according to police.

A young man standing nearby is believed to have filmed the incident on a mobile phone. He allegedly ran out of the store after being challenged by another staff member.

The woman is described as being Irish and aged between 15 and 18 with blonde, shoulder-length untidy hair. She was wearing dark jeans and a blue coat with white cuffs, white down the front and a red collar with ‘I love PB’ on the left breast pocket.

The man is described as being around the same age, 5ft8 tall, wearing a dark coat and dark grey trousers and boots.

PC Graham Hartley said: “This behaviour is completely unacceptable and I would appeal to anybody that witnessed this incident or recognises either the man or the woman pictured in the CCTV images to come forward and contact me, PC 1183 Hartley on 101.”