POLICE are investigating after a white van driver approached a 12-year-old boy who was walking along a road.

The youngster was walking along Elton Head Road, Sutton when a white Ford Transit-style van pulled up alongside him and a man spoke.

The boy ran off and the van drove away in the direction of St Helens Linkway.

The incident happened on Thursday (February 25) at 3.20pm.

It prompted a text warning being sent out by Sutton Academy to parents.

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According to the school warning, the man allegedly told the boy to "get in".

Police, who received a report later that day, have stressed "there is no suggestion the male tried to grab hold of the boy or get out of the van".

The school warning said the driver was a white man who was wearing a Covid face mask.

It also urged parents to remain vigilant at home time and to talk to children about stranger danger.

Anyone with information is asked to DM @MerPolCC quoting reference 21000123632.