A SCHOOL was on high alert this week after two possible abduction attempts on youngsters.

A woman approached two girls from Romanby Primary School, saying she had come to collect them.

Neither went with her, but headteacher Jeff Featonby said everyone was being extra vigilant.

The incidents happened last week on Thursday and Friday afternoons.

Last Friday, the girl's mother was late collecting her, so the child went across the playground, which was full of parents and pupils, and stood on a wall inside the fence.

A woman came up to her and said her mother had been delayed and that she had been asked to take her home.

The girl refused to go, at which point the woman became angry and stormed off towards Harewood Lane.

The girl told Mr Featonby what had happened and gave a description of the woman. She also said the previous day a friend had been involved in a similar incident.

Mr Featonby said police had told him about reports of something similar in Stokesley a few weeks ago. All parents were informed, as well as other schools in the area.

"We are keeping a lookout ourselves," said Mr Featonby. "The mood in school is one of concern, and parents are not letting children walk to school alone. The children are also very aware of what happened.

"This is not nice. I spoke to all the pupils and drove home the message about what to do while waiting for collection. But it is a worry."

The woman is described as white, quite tall, slim and about 30 with blonde, shoulder-length hair. She was wearing a black jacket, dark blue trousers, black high-heeled boots and was carrying a pink handbag.

A police spokesman said: "Parents, teachers and school assistants are advised to be extra vigilant and report any suspicious persons or incidents to the police. Ensure that children are in no doubt as to who is collecting them from school."

Anyone who witnessed the incidents or has any information is asked to contact Northallerton CID on 01609 789452 or 783131