Police are appealing for information after two girls aged eight and nine were approached by a man who offfered them sweets from the back of a van.

The girls were walking into Shetland Close, Westbury, between 4.45pm and 5pm yesterday when they passed a parked white or silver van which was parked up.

A man got out of the van and approached the girls, offering them sweets from the back of his vehicle.

The two girls ran off to safety and the man drove into the cul-de-sac, turned around, and then drove off.

The man is described as white, aged in his late 20s or early 30s, with black and brown slicked back hair.

He was close shaven and had brown eyes. He was wearing a black or dark grey T-shirt, blue jeans and brown shoes, and spoke with an English accent.

The girls were not harmed during the incident.

A thorough investigation is currently underway and officers have increased patrols in the area.

Anyone who has any information that may help identify this man, or the van he was driving, should contact PC Ben Agate at Trowbridge Police Station on 101 or call Crimestoppers 0800 555 111 where details may be left anonymously if preferred.

Wiltshire Police have taken the opportunity to remind all parents/guardians that incidents like these are rare, however it is important to remain vigilant and teach children not to talk to strangers.

A spokesman said: "It is also important, especially now during the hot weather and lighter evenings, that parents know the location of their children if they are out playing in the nearby streets or local play parks.

"Anyone with concerns should contact the local neighbourhood policing team on 101."