AN 11-YEAR-OLD girl fought off a man who tried to kidnap her as she walked home from school.

The girl's school was today put on alert and teachers have been warned to be extra vigilant following the attack .

The victim was walking home from Queen's Park High School along Rothesay Road when the man tried to drag her off the street and into his car at around 3.25pm yesterday.

Police said the youngster managed to fight of her stalker but he continued to follow her.

Specially trained officers were today talking to the girl in a bid to get more information about her terrifying ordeal.

Detectives are also trying to establish the reason behind the attack and have not ruled out a sexual motive.

The girl's ordeal started outside Cascades Bar in Shadsworth Road, Blackburn. The schoolgirl told officers she was followed down Rothesay Road where the man tried to grab her and pull her into his car.

The youngster ran into the nearby Spar Shop and then ran to her home and raised the alarm.

Detective Sergeant Neil Hunter said: "Obviously this must have been a very frightening experience for the young girl.

"We are looking at a number of motives and specially trained officers are talking to the girl.

"We shall evaluate the outcome before deciding which direction the investigation should take."

The attacker was driving a distinctive, left-hand-drive G-registered red Ford Mondeo which had gold-spoked alloy wheels, darkened windows and gold stripes down the sides. Queen's Park High School headteacher Vicki Devonport said: "We are aware of a report from a parent at the end of the school day regarding an incident where a pupil has been followed by a man in a car.

"Police have been involved. We have now alerted all staff during morning briefing and we have all asked staff on duty at the end of the day to be vigilant and report any concerns to the police."

The man was black or Asian, in his mid-30s with short, spikey hair and had numerous studs in both ears and a thin moustache. He was wearing six or seven gold chains around his neck.

He was wearing a black and white vest and three-quarter-length grey combat trousers.

The store owner's son Danny Audla said detectives took security video footage from the shop.

The incident has worried local residents.

Mother-of-three Catherine Clark who lives close by, said: "This is really really bad news.

"Round here there are a lot of children. I'll be keeping a really close eye on mine in the future."

Witnesses are asked to contact police on 01254 51212.