PARENTS have been warned to be on their guard as police hunt a man who offered sweets to a child outside a school.

Police said the boy was approached by the man outside Higham Saint John’s Church of England Primary School in Higham Hall Road near Burnley, who asked him if we would like some sweets in the back of his small white van.

Officers said the child refused and said no, before running away and reporting the matter to police at around 3.35pm on Friday, June 23.

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Police are now appealing for information to find the man.

He is described as white, aged roughly in his late thirties and bald with a ginger beard and wearing a blue T-shirt.

Burnley and Padiham Police said: “Please be aware of a recent report outside Higham Primary School whereby a man in a white van has asked a child if he would like some sweets in the back of his small white van.

"This child did exactly the right thing by saying no, running away and reporting this.

"If you see anything suspicious in the area please call 101 quoting log 1059 23/06.”