A TERRIFIED schoolgirl fought off an attacker who tried to bundle her into the boot of his car.

But the 12-year-old from Radcliffe was punched in the face before breaking free.

Detectives have launched a hunt for the man who struck in Hutchinson Way, Radcliffe, near to the McDonald's restaurant, at 4.25pm on Tuesday.

The girl, a pupil at Radcliffe High, was walking past a blue 4 x 4 Shogun-type vehicle when the driver got out and came up behind her.

Detectives say he tried to grab hold of the girl. When she struggled, she was punched as the man tried to force her into the vehicle.

The man, believed to be white and aged 30 to 40, got back into his car and drove off.

Detective Sergeant Graham Barker of Whitefield CID is anxious to speak to anyone who witnessed the attempted abduction.

He said: "This 4 x 4 was a Shogun-type vehicle, but not actually a Shogun. It was blue in colour with a silver stripe."

Anyone with any information about the incident should contact Det Sgt Barker on 856 8150 or freephone CrimeStoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.