POLICE hunting a football thug who hurled coins at officials at a Cardiff match last year believe the man they want to speak to is from Gwent.

South Wales Police have released CCTV footage of a fan at the Cardiff City versus Millwall match at Ninian Park on Saturday, December 20, last year.

During the second half of the game, coins were thrown on to the pitch in the direction of match officials from the Popular Bank terrace area. In a joint appeal with Cardiff City Football Club, South Wales police are asking people to come forward who either recognise the pictured man or know about the incident.

A South Wales police spokesman told the Argus: "We have reason to believe the man may be in Gwent or the Gwent Valleys area."

And Chief Superintendent Jeff Cooksley, divisional commander for Cardiff, said: "I would urge anyone who witnessed such an incident during the Cardiff v Millwall match, before Christmas, to get in touch.

"We have issued a picture of the man suspected of carrying out this offence.

"The picture has been printed by the local media and in Cardiff City match-day programmes, but to no avail so far."

Anyone with information should contact Detective Sergeant Terry Lee on 02920 527238 or Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555111.