Police have launched a hate crime inquiry after a BBC radio presenter was racially abused in the street by a passing cyclist.

BBC Coventry and Warwickshire breakfast show host Trish Adudu was subjected to racist comments on Wednesday shortly after witnessing a man of Asian appearance being told to "go home".

The "sickening" incident happened a day after the Chief Constable of West Midlands Police said a national rise in hate crime following last week's Brexit vote had not been mirrored in the force area.

Ms Adudu was walking to her car in Cox Road, Coventry, at about 9.30am when she was verbally abused.

The presenter said: "This type of vile abuse needs to stop and we need to work together to try and get rid of it.

"I would love for the other man who was there to come forward, because this is not just about me.

"If the guy on the bike could be so vile in such a short period of time, then what else could he go on to do? Who's next? Someone is going to get hurt."

The suspect is described as a pale white man, clean shaven, of small, thin build, in his mid-20s.

Inspector Alastair Orencas is leading the investigation and has vowed to use all available resources to track down the offender.

Mr Orencas said: "There is absolutely no place for this type of sickening and deplorable behaviour on the streets of our city and we will be doing everything we can do identify the perpetrator.

"If anyone can tell us who this person is, or if anyone was in the area at the time and has information which they think may assist us, I would urge them to come forward.

"I would also appeal directly to this individual - if it was you who shouted these words, do the right thing and hand yourself in."

Writing on Twitter, Ms Adudu said she had never experienced "such a level of hate head on".

National hate crime reporting portal True Vision registered an increase in allegations of racial abuse in the wake of the June 23 EU referendum.

Although levels of recorded hate crime in the West Midlands have remained stable, the area's Chief Constable Dave Thompson has pledged a "zero tolerance" response.

He said earlier this week: "We will absolutely not tolerate crimes of hate and we will be responsive to these incidents, bring people to justice and care for victims." ends