DETECTIVES are describing an incident in which a smartly dressed man exposed himself to a group of girls as young as three as an "isolated incident".

The seven girls were in the Thompson Street West area of Darlington when they saw the man's small burgundy car parked nearby.

He drove up to where the girls were and they saw he had his trousers and underwear down.

The girls, aged between three and nine, ran off into a nearby cemetery, but the man got out of the car and followed them, still with his trousers down.

He darted between the trees and beckoned them towards him, but again, they ran off.

The incident happened at 5pm last Wednesday, April 25.

Detective Sergeant Alec Francis, of Darlington police, said: "This is an isolated incident and we haven't had any other similarly described incidents anywhere in the town for some time.

"It is disturbing, particularly when an incident of this nature is directed towards children of tender years. We are treating the incident seriously, and it is being investigated."

The man is described as white, aged 30 to 35, and of medium build. He was about 5ft 9in, with short brown hair, and wore a dark suit with a white shirt and a tie.

Det Sgt Francis said: "This is based on the evidence of children and we have built up this information and description from speaking to the girls."

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on (01325) 467681, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.