TWO quick-thinking youngsters have been hailed as heroes after foiling the attempted abduction of a four-year-old girl.

Friends Triston Melvin, nine, and Ellis Mount, ten, were playing in the Grove Hill area of Middlesbrough at about 7.20pm on Monday, when they spotted a man trying to lure Triston's sister, Shanice, into his car.

Triston ran for help as Ellis grabbed the little girl and led her to safety.

Police are now appealing for help in tracking down the man, who is described as black and was driving a red car.

Shanice was playing outside her home in Deepdale Avenue, Middlesbrough, when the stranger approached and told her she had to come home with him.

Shanice's mother, Katrina Melvin, 34, said: "My son's friend grabbed hold of my little girl and said to Triston Go and get your dad'.

"If it was not for Ellis, who knows what would have happened?

"I'm so proud of the pair of them. They are a couple of heroes."

Ms Melvin said there had been other similar incidents in the Grove Hill area.

Last week, a man in a red car talked to her other daughter, five-year-old Michaela, and asked personal questions, before the youngster walked away.

Last weekend, a man is thought to have tried to grab a 14-year-old girl.

A Cleveland Police spokeswoman said officers had taken the details of the car and the man and carried out door-todoor inquiries.

People with information or concerns can call police on 01642-303126 or Crimestoppers on 0800-555111.