POLICE are hunting a man who tried to lure a 12-year-old girl into his car.

Officers say the suspicious male offered the child a lift home, but she didn't get in his car and was led away safely by a concerned passer-by.

The girl was left frightened and distressed but unharmed by the incident, which happened at 5pm on Tuesday, August 16.

Cheshire police spokesman Mark Houghton said: 'The girl had gone into the Kwik Save store on the A41 Chester Road in Great Sutton. As she came out, she heard a male voice and saw a car had stopped at the side of the road, facing in the Eastham direction.

'The unknown male driver was leaning over the front passenger seat and speaking to the girl through the passenger window. He asked her if she wanted a lift home.

'The girl was frightened at this stage and ran away.

'As she got to a nearby pedestrian crossing, a female teenager said she'd witnessed the man doing this and she took the young girl home safely. The girl was distressed.'

The male driver was described as white, in his 20s,

with a pale complexion and green-brown eyes. He wore a white cap, blue sweater with mud on it and dark-blue jeans. He drove a small white car.

Mr Houghton added: 'This was a suspicious incident which caused some concern.

'We'd like to speak to the male driver in the car, and also the teenager who helped the child home.

'Witnesses to this incident or anyone with information about it should call PC Sally Bell at Ellesmere Port Police Station on 01244 613016 or the confidential Crimestoppers hotline on 0800 555 111.'