A school has urged parents to be vigilant after a child was told to get in a man's car while walking home.

The incident happened on May 15 while the young girl was walking at the bottom of Armond Road, Witham, near the railway bridge.

A man in a silver car pulled up next to her and told her to get in his car.

The girl was able to run away and make her way to safety.

New Rickstones Academy has now released this letter to parents:

Braintree and Witham Times:

The school advises children to walk with a friend or adult whenever possible, use main routes and ensure they have a sense of their surroundings.

Update 3.10pm

Essex Police has confirmed it is making enquiries into reports a girl was approached by a person in a car between 4.30pm and 5pm.

This was between 4.30pm and 5pm .

A man was reported to have pulled up alongside the girl, opened his window and said ‘come in’.

A spokesman said: "The girl, who is secondary school age, ran away but was followed for a few seconds before the man drove away.

"At this stage the motivation behind this incident has not been established, and we have not had any similar reports.

"We urge people to be alert, but not alarmed."

The car may have been silver, with a yellow sticker. 

The man was described as aged around 35, with shaved dark hair. He was clean shaven and wore a grey top.  

Contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.