POLICE are investigating after a suspected attempt child abduction in Southampton.

A man in his late 40s tried to lure an 11-year-old girl into his sports car as she made her way to catch a bus in the Bassett area of the city.

The man, who is described as having short almost shaven ginger hair and a full ginger beard with freckles under his eyes and on his cheeks, pulled up in his black car next to the schoolgirl and asked her to get in.

Detectives say although the girl managed to get to the bus stop on Bassett Avenue safely, she was left "very distressed".

Now they want to hear from anyone who saw the man acting suspiciously on Friday morning at 8am in the Bassett Crescent West area.

The man is described as white, about 5ft 7in, big build and possibly a scar above on his forehead above his left eye. He wore a plain dark, short-sleeve polo top.

His car is described as a black Jaguar or similar, two-door sporty looking, with sandy-grey leather interior and slightly tinted rear side windows.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Priority Crime Unit at Southampton Central police station on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.