POLICE are appealing for help to find a man who set fire to a shop in York.

CCTV images of a suspect officers want to interview in connection with the blaze at Leeman Stores have been issued.

The suspect is thought to have walked up to the rear of the store in Bright Street around 4.30am on Saturday, February 7, and set fire to a paper storage shed at the back of the property.

The fire melted a gas meter and caused substantial damage to the back of the store. A resident living above the shop was woken by the noise and smell of smoke and escaped unharmed.

Police said a couple walking along the street in the early hours are potential witnesses and a number of vehicles were also seen in the area at the time of the attack.

Anyone with information can call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2 and ask for York CID, or email yorkcid@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk