PARENTS have been urged to keep an eye on their children after a man tried to lure an 11-year-old boy into his car.

The boy was in Halifax Road, Nelson, at 9.15pm when a car followed him. Soon afterwards, the driver stopped and asked him to get in the car, offering him a lift.

The boy refused and ran away, but police said that they were treating the incident seriously.

Sgt Mick Nicholls, of Nelson police, said: "We are treating it as a suspicious incident rather than an attempt to kidnap the boy but obviously it is causing us some concern and we are anxious to find out who this man is.

"We would urge parents to talk to their children and ensure that they know not to accept lifts from strangers and to alert parents or teachers if they are approached by anyone"

The man, wore glasses, and had a moustache was driving a silver car, possibly VW.