THE mother of a nine-year-old involved in an abduction attempt today made an impassioned plea for witnesses to come forward.

The mum, who cannot be named for legal reasons as it would identify the youngster, said the episode had left the family shocked.

Police have arrested a man in connection with the incident on Saturday night when the girl was approached on Bolton Road, Darwen, near the Mill Gap pub. He was later arrested and bailed for two weeks as police continue with their inquiries.

The girl's mum said her daughter was playing hide-and-seek with friends on a grassy area near Radfield Avenue at around 8.30pm. She had gone round the corner on to Bolton Road when a masked man tried to grab her.

The mum said: "She had separated from her friends and she was set back from the main road because she was hiding.

"This man pushed her to the ground and then ran off. It's frightening to think what could have happened, I just can't put it into words at the moment."

A passer-by led to the attacker fleeing and police have repeated their appeals for him to come forward.

The girl's mother also appealed for information, adding that parents were on tenterhooks. A similar incident was reported in Ramsbottom on Monday night when a eight-year-old girl was grabbed as she walked her dog behind Knowle Meadow. The girl managed to fend off the attacker by slapping him.

Detective Sergeant Ian Critchley, at Darwen CID, said the incidents were not being linked at this stage although urged parents to be extra vigilant.

The Darwen girl's mum said: "The main concern is getting witnesses and for this man to come forward.

"Parents around here very concerned. Children usually walk home from school but last night all the parents had come to pick them up because they are panicking. I have never seen as many cars."

The girl has been back to school but her mum is wary of letting her out. She said: "I don't want to keep her in but at the moment she is just playing on the drive."

DS Critchley said: "It is of prime importance that the passer-by, or anybody with any information, comes forward."