A MAN who indecently exposes himself to girls as young as eight has sparked an alert at several schools.

Eight incidents have occurred sporadically since October last year, in locations spanning Tonbridge Road, Maidstone, through the Oakwood Park complex to the junction with Queens Road and into the Beverley estate.

Schools in the area include Oakwood Park Grammar School, St Simon Stock Roman Catholic School, The Astor of Hever School, West Borough Primary School, St Francis Roman Catholic Primary School and Barming Primary School.

The Kent Institute of Art and Design and Mid Kent College also have campuses there.

A spokeswoman for Maidstone and Malling Police said: "The indecent exposures seem to be aimed at school girls, aged between eight years and 12 years old, although a couple of incidents have involved teenage girls.

"The incidents seem to occur between 3.15pm and 6.30pm on weekdays, although a small number of the exposures have happened at the weekend."

The offender is described as a white male, sometimes described as having a European appearance, aged between 25 and 40. He has short hair and is usually casually dressed in dark coloured tracksuit bottoms.

Barming Primary School informed parents in a newsletter. The head teacher of St Francis Roman Catholic Primary School, David Bray, said staff had been told, and children warned not to follow strangers in a special assembly.

Sue Allison, acting head of West Borough Primary School, said: "We have put out comments to the parents letting them know that they need to be extra vigilant in the local area."

The police spokeswoman stressed: "There have been increased police patrols in the area and local schools have been spoken to and reassured.

"Although police are advising members of the community not to be alarmed by these incidents, they are also asking them to be vigilant and to call the police with any information that might help the investigation."

Anyone with information is asked to contact PC Trevor Bonett at Maidstone and Malling Police on 01622 608182, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 - this call is free and confidential.