POLICE are investigating allegations that a teenage boy has been raped.

The police helicopter and dogs handlers were called out after a tip-off that a mystery 13-year-old had been attacked and left stranded in fields close to St Paul's Junior School in Westleigh.

But an air and ground search of the area failed to find either the victim or his attacker.

A police spokesman said: "Leigh police received a call from a male stating that he had found a boy in a field. The boy was in a distressed state and alleged he had been raped but declined any assistance.

"The force helicopter was called out and a search of the area was made with dogs. Despite further police investigations, nothing has been discovered nor reported to us."

In the wake of the search, a concerned headteacher has warned children not to walk alone, and a local martial arts expert is offering a free self-defence class for youngsters.

Westleigh St Paul's headteacher Paul Melville said: "We have told our children to walk home in pairs and to stay away from the field.

"We've been keeping a closer eye on them and warned them all about the stranger danger."

Concerned dad Shaun Hodson, who runs Leigh's Jaguar Thai Boxing Club, has offered to teach children the basic aspects of self-defence to help them fight off attackers.

Appalled by reports of the attack, Shaun, who lives in Westleigh, said: "I find this very disturbing so I decided I must do something to try to protect our children.

"I have put on a free course for youngsters aged between eight and 15 so they can learn some aspects of self-defence.

"The one-afternoon course is non-combative. It teaches children how to be aware on the streets and the dangers that can be lurking there.

"There will be a talk on how to raise attention so people will back off, and the chance to learn simple, non-power-based moves which give them a chance to make a break from any attacker and run."

Shaun, 34, is also planning to approach headteachers to see if they are interested in an after-school class.

He runs classes on Monday, Friday and Sunday at his base in Findlay Street, Leigh, and on Wednesdays at Howe Bridge Sports Centre. Anyone interested in joining the free class should ring Shaun on 01942 675200.

Anyone with information about the alleged attack should ring Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. SELF-DEFENCE: Thai boxing instructor Shaun with his nine-year-old son, Shaun, a junior instructor, who will be helping at the course in July Mystery surrounds 'sex attack' report near school