POLICE are in a state of high alert following the attempted abduction of two children in South Lakeland over a four-day period.

Detectives investigating the incidents say they are not ruling out the possibility that they could be linked and there was a large police response to a report that a child had gone missing in Kendal on Wednesday.

Parents have also been warned to be extra vigilant and police are advising them to be aware of the possible dangers.

They are also keen to get over the message to children that they should not be talking to strangers.

Investigations are still active into an incident at Ambleside when a 12-year-old girl was seized from behind by a stranger as she went to tend to her ponies in a field on the outskirts of town.

And on Sunday night a man attempted to drag a nine-year-old boy into the back of his car at the junction of Jenkin Rise and Kentdale Road in Kendal.

The man was seen driving off at high speed in the direction of Sandylands Road in a dark red, four-door car, which was possibly a Mondeo.

In both instances the children managed to escape without injury but police said the youngsters had been left "shocked and distressed" by their ordeal.

On Wednesday night the police responded in large numbers to a report that a six-year-old Kendal boy had gone missing from his home in Kirkbarrow.

Police searched the area and he was eventually found safe and well at the home of friends some two-and-a-half hours later.

Cumbria Police's press officer Mike Head said the large response was appropriate in the circumstances.

"While we always respond quickly to such incidents, we were concerned for this boy's safety," he said.

"To have already had two similar incidents in a matter of days obviously causes concern, and a major response was the correct approach."

The man who attempted to snatch the girl at Ambleside on Thursday, August 9, was described as short, wearing a leather jacket with a hood.

He was also wearing black gloves, with a white snowdrop pattern on them, and dark, shiny trousers.

Police say he had a pot belly, had muscular arms and spoke with a gruff Irish accent.

The officer in charge of the case, Detective Superintendent Ray Begley, said it was possible the man was from outside the area.

He added that at this stage police could not be sure what the motive was.

The man involved in the Kendal incident is described as being white, 5ft 8ins tall with short, grey swept-back hair and a grey beard with no moustache.

He was of medium build, aged in his mid to late 40s.

Detective Constable Keith Ganley, of Kendal Police, said investigations were continuing into both incidents.

"At this stage we can not rule out the possibility that the two incidents are linked but there is currently nothing concrete to suggest that they are definitely related," he said.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Kendal Police on 01539-722611 or Crimestoppers on 0800-555-111.

l In an unrelated incident a 25-year-old Kendal man is being questioned by police over the alleged assault of a 15-year-old youth on Sandes Avenue in the town.

The man voluntarily walked into Kendal Police Station yesterday (Thursday).