A warning has been sent to parents of pupils at a Broadstairs school after a child was asked to get in a stranger's car yesterday afternoon.

A man thought to be in his sixties asked a 12-year-old boy if he wanted to get in his car.

The head teacher of St George's Church of England Foundation School in Broadstairs sent out the alert following reports of the incident.

Children at the Westwood Road school have been advised to walk home in groups or pairs.

In his text to parents, Mr Mirams wrote: "I am writing to inform you that there has been an incident, whereby a child of secondary age was asked to get into a car with a stranger.

"The school will continue to patrol outside the school at the end of the day, but we would advise that all children walk home in pairs or groups if they are walking home at the end of the day.

"The Police are aware of the incident and I would ask that we are all vigilant."

A police spokesman said: "Police are looking into a suspicious incident that took place in Westwood Road, Broadstairs between 2.30pm and 2.45pm on Thursday, December 7.

"It is reported that a man got out of his car and asked a 12-year-old boy if he wanted to get in.

"The boy, who was with a friend, ran off. The man is described as white, aged around 65 with grey hair and he was driving a black car. No one was touched or harmed.

"Inquiries are ongoing."