PARENTS and children have been warned to be on their guard after two suspected abduction attempts in two days.

Two children - a boy aged 11 and a girl aged 13 - were approached by a man driving a white van when they were walking near Haughton Road, Darlington, in an area of town known locally as the Black Path.

The girl was approached on Monday and the boy on Tuesday, both as they headed to school just before 9am.

The man shouted at the children to go over to his van and, when they refused, he got out and chased them.

Both managed to escape, leaving them frightened but unhurt.

The boy attends Gurney Pease Primary School, and the girl is the sister of a pupil at the school. The school has now issued safety warnings to all their pupils.

Letters have been sent to the parents of every pupil, warning them about the incidents, and advising against children walking the route alone.

Headteacher Sandra Battensby said the incidents were "extremely worrying".

"This man, who was a complete stranger to both children, ran after them, and it seems to me that these are two attempted abductions," she said.

"Who is to say what might have happened if they hadn't managed to outrun him?

"After the incident on Monday, involving the sister of one of our pupils, we gave warnings in school about safety.

"Then, only the next day, the same thing happened to one of our pupils on his way to school. He arrived here extremely frightened and upset.

"We have to take these incidents very, very seriously, and needless to say everyone at the school is extremely worried."

Police said they could not confirm either incident was an abduction attempt, but investigations were ongoing.

Inspector Alan Davidson, of Darlington police, urged parents and children to be vigilant.

"We would encourage people to report any incidents of this nature to us and, if possible, any details they have managed to obtain about the vehicle," he said.

Witnesses, or anyone with information, are asked to contact police on 0845 606 0365.