A MAN grabbed an 11-year-old girl and tried to abduct her on Tuesday evening.

The girl was playing on the cyclepath between Vicarage Field and Long Marsh Lane in Lancaster when she wondered some distance from her brother.

At 4.50pm she was approached by a man who grabbed the girl's shoulders and said "get here!"

The girl struggled and tried to pull away and kicked the man in the shins. The attacker lost his grip but managed to punch the girl in the chest before she ran off in the direction of Long Marsh Lane.

The authorities were notified and the girl was taken to the RLI with bruising to the chest.

She was interviewed on video by specialist officers on Wednesday and the police expect to issue an artist impression soon.

The man is described as white, male in his 30s, wearing a black woolly hat and a rust coloured Adidas jacket with elasticated cuffs. He was wearing tight, black jeans and white muddy trainers which may have had a crocodile motif on them.

His hair was behind his ears and he had long sideburns and tattoos on his knuckles. His face was thin and pale and had a silver hoop and crucifix in his left ear.

A police spokesman said: "The girl was out after school, not trick or treating, but playing with her brother. She has given us a very good description and were hoping local people will be able to help us with our enquiries."

The police are very keen to trace this man and if you think you might know him call the police on 63333.