POLICE believe two families may have witnessed a man exposing himself to two teenage girls on a Kent beach.

Officers are appealing for them to contact police as part of their inquiries into the indecent act that took place on the sands at Palm Bay at Cliftonville, near Margate shortly after 5pm on Monday.

The girls, aged 16 and 17, were returning from the sea to sit on their towels. They noticed a man walking from the clifftop path at The Ridings down towards the sands. He sat a few feet behind them and it was then they noticed him. They picked up their beach gear and walked away.

A police spokesman said: "Two families were sitting nearby and we believe they may be able to help with our inquiries. We would like them to contact Margate police station on 01843 222033."

The offender is said to be very tanned, slim, aged between 27 and 33, and clean-shaven. He wore swimming trunks and carried a blue plastic bag.