POLICE are trying to find a man who approached a two-year-old boy near a school and offered him sweets and chocolates.

The toddler was near the rear gate of Stranton Primary school at the junction of Stockton Road and Russell Walk in Hartlepool at about 3.15pm on Thursday when the man started talking to the boy.

The child's parent was tying their shoelace at the time, but then took hold of the boy and the man ran off down a nearby alleyway.

No one was hurt, but a police spokeswoman said the parent was very shaken. The sex of the parent has not been revealed so as to help protect the identity of the family.

The man is described as in his 30s, of skinny build and he was speaking with a foreign accent.

Police are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the incident or may have information regarding it to contact PC Julie Nicholson on the non-emergency 101 number, Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or www.crimestoppers-uk.org.