POLICE are hunting a woman who attacked an 80-year-old Canadian gospel singer outside the former home of John Knox in Edinburgh.

The incident happened on Tuesday evening when the man was singing hymns to a small crowd on High Street.

A woman came from a kilt shop across the road. She approached the victim and a disturbance broke out, resulting in the victim falling over and hitting his head on the ground.

A passer-by called for an ambulance and the man was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.

The suspect is described as mixed race, aged in her late 40s, 5ft 8in, with ­shoulder-length dark hair.

Detective Constable James Philp said: "We know that a small crowd had been watching him sing, so we are appealing for any witnesses to come forward."