Police are looking for a group of three Leeds United fans whose racist abuse on a busy train left a Bradford woman “extremely frightened and upset.”

They have asked that a Good Samaritan, who stood up to the group and offered to escort the 35-year-old woman away from the group, to come forward to help their investigation.

The incident happened on the 1.07pm train from Leeds to Manchester Victoria on Saturday, and only ended 20 minutes later when the woman got off the train at Bradford.

The men sat near the woman, and although the conversation started off light hearted it soon regressed into what police called “a tirade of racist abuse.”

The men are believed to have been travelling to Rochdale to watch the FA Cup third round match between Leeds and Rochdale, which Leeds lost 2 - 0.

British Transport Police are currently scouring CCTV to try and identify the offenders, and have issued an appeal for any other passengers who witnessed the abuse to come forward.

PC Jo Kellett, investigating for BTP, said: “The conversation became aggressive and the group unleashed a tirade of racial abuse at the victim leaving her extremely frightened and upset.

“The train was very busy at the time of the incident and we believe a number of people may have witnessed the assault.

“We take all reports of racist behaviour very seriously, and will not tolerate it on the rail network.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40 quoting background reference NEA/B9 of 8/1/2014. Information can also be passed to the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.