A TERRIFIED teenager today spoke of her ordeal after a man tried to drag her into his car as she walked back to school at lunchtime.

The 13-year-old was walking on Booth Road back to Fearns High School, Stacksteads, after lunch on Tuesday at 1.15pm when a car pipped its horn at her.

The driver then turned his car, a dark bottle green Ford Escort old shape Mark I or Mark II, and pulled up a few feet in front of the girl.

She said: "When I got to the bonnet he leaned across and opened the front passenger door. He spoke to me and asked if I wanted to go for a ride, I said, 'No thank-you,' and he grabbed my jacket.

"He had tight hold and did not want to let go so I instinctively slapped his face and when he let go I ran away." When she arrived at school she told teachers what had happened and was in tears all afternoon.

Although she was shaken by the incident, her family agreed to speak to the Lancashire Evening Telegraph in the hope readers will recognise the man's distinctive car or his description.

The car had patches of rust on the front passenger door, a blue visor across the front windscreen and a green Christmas tree air freshener hanging from the interior mirror.

The man was in his 30s, had a northern but not local accent, dark brown hair cut in a straight fringe with a centre parting and was clean shaven. He was of scruffy appearance and wore a lightish blue sweatshirt or T-shirt with a hole in the sleeve, light blue jeans or trousers. The girl said: "If anyone does know who he is please contact the police. If any children see this man, do not talk to him, do not approach his car, turn away and tell an adult."

Her parents said: "We don't know what might have happened we are just so relieved she did the right thing and got away.

"If he can do this sort of thing in broad daylight, near a school then you don't know what he will do. Please if you know who he is contact the police."

Detective Sergeant Mike Collins praised the "courageous" actions of the girl. He is appealing for any members of the public who were in the area of Booth Road at 1.15pm on Tuesday to come forward if they saw the man in his car. Contact police on 01706 215242.

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