DETECTIVES have re-issued their appeal for information about a man who has repeatedly tried to abduct teenage girls.

Officers in Hartlepool are looking for the man who hung around the Oxford Road area of Hartlepool on Monday of last week asking girls to go with him.

The first happened at about 7.45pm in Oxford Road when the man approached two 13-year-old girls and began complimenting them outside the Nisa supermarket.

He invited the girls to go with him and told them they were sexy. He then started to cuddle one of the teenagers, causing the girls to become alarmed and run away.

The second incident happened soon after when he approached two girls, aged 13 and 15, near to the junction of Fernwood Avenue.

He asked the girls to go with him, but this time grabbed hold of one of them, leaving a bruise on her arm.

She managed to break free after a struggle and police were called.

A third incident was reported to have taken place about the same time.

Detective Sergeant Steve Roche said the same man was believed to be responsible.

And it is possible that he was also responsible for an attempt abduction in the town in April, when a 12-year-old girl was on a bus from Hartlepool to Seaton Carew.

Det Sgt Roche said: "We are anxious to trace this man and would appeal for anyone who thinks they know who he is, or thinks they may have seen him, to come forward."

The man is described as being of Mediterranean appearance, aged about 30, with short, dark hair. He spoke with a foreign accent, was about 5ft 7in and of medium build. He was wearing a yellow T-shirt with a logo on it, blue jeans and white training shoes.

Anyone with information is asked to call Hartlepool police on (01642) 302126.