A RUNNER has been assaulted while out on a Lake District fell today (November 22), say police.

The middle-aged man was running on fells in Mardale, near Haweswater Reservoir, when he was allegedly hit across the back by a man wielding a walking stick at 12.30pm.

Cumbria Police said the offender was in the vicinity of a pack of hounds at the time of the attack.

Anyone with information is asked to call PC 2003 Street on non-emergency 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.