POLICE are warning parents and residents of a North-East village to be on their guard after a child was nearly snatched by a motorist.

The incident happened as the 12-year-old boy was walking along Linden Road in Brotton, East Cleveland, on Wednesday even-ing.

He was approached by a man in a red G-registration car which had a spoiler on the back. The man demanded that the boy get in the back, but he ran off towards Linden House.

The man in the car followed the boy and made more threats and tried to entice the boy with promises of money. The boy kept running and the man eventually left the area.

The man is described as in his thirties, with a goatee-type beard, dark hair and sideburns. It is thought he might have had a Yorkshire accent.

A spokesman for Cleveland Police said: "Although not hurt, the boy was left distressed and upset."

Anyone who may know the identity of the man, or who witnessed the incident, is asked to call Detective Sergeant Nick Owen n (01642) 302634