POLICE are warning parents to be on their guard after six incidents where a man approached young girls in Widnes.

Six times in March, a man with a similar description has approached girls aged eight to 16.

A police spokesman said: "We are asking people who have been approached to come forward, and we would like parents to be aware of the danger children face when unsupervised."

Four of the approaches were within one two-hour period.

Mostly he has only tried to talk to the girls or has asked them to come with him.

But in the last incident, at around 9.20pm on March 31, he grabbed a girl from behind in Milton Road.

She managed to push him away and run home.

The man is described as aged 20 to 30, wearing a black bobble hat, with writing on his chest and black pants.

In the Milton Road incident he was described as 5ft 8ins to 5ft 10ins tall, and was wearing something to cover his face.

Anyone with information should contact Det Con Darren Riley or Jim Earlam on 01244-613735 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.