A woman was left 'alarmed and distressed' after being approached by a suspicious man whilst walking along a canal towpath.

The victim was on her daily lockdown exercise when a man said 'hello beautiful' before making further inappropriate comments.

She quickly walked away from Macclesfield Canal towpath close to Congleton Train Station before alerting the police.

The man is described as black, 5ft 8ins with dark hair and a short beard. He was wearing a blue coat and a black backpack.

Alerting other residents, the woman posted on social media: "Be careful when on the canal. A black lad has just said 'hello beautiful, come here please'.

"He was staring and asking where I was going. It was creepy so I walked off quickly."

Police told Nub News that they were first alerted to reports of suspicious activity at 12:49pm on Tuesday (28th April) following the incident, which took place around 30 minutes earlier.

Sgt Paul Brunton, of Cheshire Police, said: "A man approached a woman, calling to her inappropriately.

"She ignored him and as she walked past he continued to shout after her.

"The woman who was walking past on her own, was left alarmed and distressed by her encounter and called police.

"We don't know what the motive for his actions were but it is concerning that it has caused someone going about their daily exercise to be left in fear for their safety.

"We don't appear to have had any similar reports but we are looking into it and have increased patrols in the area to provide reassurance. If you spot any suspicious behaviour contact police."

Anyone with information is asked to call Cheshire Police on 101 or via the website quoting IML 692895.