PARENTS have been put on the alert after one youngster was attacked and another was approached by a black-clad mystery man.

Both incidents happened within a week, while the youngsters were out playing.

Fortunately, neither of them were hurt.

But police are anxious to track down the man involved, and are now appealing to the public for help.

The first incident happened on Sunday, June 24, although details were only released yesterday.

A young boy was playing on Low Green, at Great Ayton, when he was approached by a man who offered him sweets. The man then grabbed the boy around the neck, but the youngster was able to struggle free and ran off to alert his friends.

The attacker was in his twenties, about 5ft 9in, and wore a black shirt, black trousers, black shoes and sunglasses.

His car is thought to have been a small black two-door saloon.

The second incident took place just six days later, in the nearby village of Potto, when a young girl was approached by a man of similar description.

The man put out his hand towards the little girl, at which point she ran off and alerted her parents. No vehicle was seen on this occasion.

"We are very keen to find out anything more about this man who seems to be acting suspiciously around children in this area," said a police spokesman.

Anyone who can give the police any information about the man is asked to contact the CID in Northallerton, on (01609) 783131.