PARENTS in Bury have been warned to be on their guard after a man tried to abduct an 11-year-old girl by throwing her in the boot of his car.

The girl was walking along Fern Grove with a 12-year-old friend on Sunday at about 6.20pm when they saw a man walk out of the garden of an empty house and noticed that he tried to remove the parcel shelf from the back of the car.

The man then grabbed the girl, put her in the boot and drove off in the car, which had been left with the engine running.

As it moved away, the boot sprung open and the girl jumped free. The two friends ran to a house to raise the alarm. The girl suffered bruising to her legs and back but did not need hospital treatment.

Police are appealing for help in identifying the abductor, who is described as white, aged between 30 and 40, of medium build, bald and wearing a black fleece and jeans.

The car was a red hatchback with a bent aerial which had tinsel wrapped around it.

Det Sgt Bill Gresty, of Bury CID, said: "This was a terrifying ordeal for both girls as one had to watch as her friend was put in the boot of the car.

"By chance, the boot failed to close and she was able to escape. The consequences of this incident could have been far more severe.

"I would warn all parents in the Bury area to be extra vigilant and anyone who recognises the description of the man is urged to call us."

If you have information about the indentity of the abductor, call Bury CID on 0161 856 8150.