Parents in Ashford are being urged to be vigilant following two reports that a man in a van approached school-aged children.

A letter has been sent home from at least two primary schools in the borough - including Godinton Primary School at Godinton Park - asking parents to warn their children about "stranger danger".

It comes after police received two separate reports of a driver in a white van with red markings approaching children.

The letter was sent out on the advice of Kent County Council's area education officer David Adams.

Police say the incidents happened in the Bybrook Road area of Ashford. The young people reported the incidents on Monday evening to their parents, who contacted police. Officers have been carrying out additional patrols in the Kennington area.

Sgt Trevor Brathwaite said: "The children did exactly the right thing – they went straight home and reported it to their parents with as much information as they could remember about the man and the van."

Anyone with information or who saw the van should contact Kent Police on 101, giving reference SI/ZY/3458/14.

It is understood the driver encouraged them to look in the back of his van.

Fortunately, on both occasions, the child refused to do so.

The parent of a child at Phoenix Community Primary School, in Belmont Road, received a text which said: "Reports of a man in a white van with red writing approaching school children in Ashford.

"Please be extra vigiliant We would recommend ALL children are collected for the time being. We will keep you updated."

Now police are asking parents, teachers and guardians to remind children to be vigilant and to report any similar incidents to Mr Adam on 03000 412121 or police on 101.