Two sisters were allegedly punched in the head and had clumps of hair pulled out after being told to “shut up” during a train journey in north Essex.

British Transport Police (BTP) has released a CCTV image of two women officers would like to speak to following an alleged assault on a train between Colchester and Harwich Town.

The two sister were talking and laughing on the train when they were approached by two women – believed to be mother and daughter – at just before 6.10pm on Wednesday, March 14.

They told the sisters to “shut up” or they would punch them.

After an exchange of words, the sisters were both assaulted with punches to the head and body, and clumps of hair pulled out.

“The assault left them both with bruising and other injuries,” said a spokesman for BTP.

Officers would like to speak to the women in these images as it is believed they may have information which could help the investigation.

Anyone with information is asked to contact BTP on 0800 40 50 40 or by texting 61016, with reference 548 of March 14.