POLICE are hunting a man who tried to abduct a two-year-old girl from her teenage babysitters.

The youths fought the man off as he tried to snatch the toddler on Saturday lunchtime.

"We are treating this as a suspicious incident because the motive is not clear," said Detective Sergeant Nigel Wenham of Northwich police.

"It is possible, however, that there is a more innocent explanation - perhaps this man did not have a malicious intent. If that is the case, we would like him to come forward.

"Failing that, if anyone has any information about this incident, we would like to hear from them," he added.

The two child-minders, aged 15 and 16, were walking along Middlewich Road in Rudheath at 12.20pm on Saturday.

They were looking after the toddler and her baby sister, who they were pushing along in a pram.

As they passed Parkfield Road, heading towards Northwich town centre, a man emerged from a nearby bus shelter.

He reached out and tried to pull the toddler away - and only gave up when the babysitters fought back. He then ran off, shouting threats at the youths.

The man is described as white, around 5ft 8ins in height. He is stocky and aged between 30 and 40.

He is bald on top but has thinning, light brown hair around the sides. He has a ruddy complexion and a local accent.

At the time of the incident he was scruffy and unshaven. He was wearing dirty, stonewashed denim jeans and a denim jacket, and was holding a Kwik Save carrier bag.

If you can help, ring DC Bob Scrannage or DC Steve Holliwell on 01606 48000.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.