PARENTS and children are urged to be vigilant after an 11-year-old boy was approached by a man in a suspicious manner on his way home from school.

Merseyside Police confirmed reports that between 3.45pm and 4pm on Thursday, February 7, the boy was walking home from school on Norley Drive, Eccleston, when he was approached by a man in a suspicious manner.

The boy went straight home and told a parent and his school was informed.

Community Inspector Neil Birkett said: "The boy did exactly the right thing by going straight home.

"Incidents such as this are rare but we take them extremely seriously and appeal to anyone with information to contact us."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Merseyside Police social media desk via Twitter @MerPolCC or Facebook Merseyside Police CC.

You can also call 101 quoting incident reference 19100039305 or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously, on 0800 555111 or via their online form at: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/give-information.