POLICE have released a detailed description of a man after a "disturbing" incident in which a young girl was grabbed on her way to feed some ponies in the Lake District.

The 12-year-old girl was seized from behind by a man at 9.15pm on Thursday evening near her Ambleside home, but managed to escape when the man was disturbed by a noise.

Police said she had been left "shocked and distressed" but was uninjured.

Police spokesman Mike Head described the incident as "disturbing" and said police hoped the detailed description of the man, provided by the 12-year-old, would jog some memories.

The man was described as being short in height, wearing a leather jacket with a hood along with black gloves with a white snowdrop pattern on them.

He was wearing dark shiny trousers and had a pot belly.

He had muscular arms and spoke with a gruff Irish accent.

Mike Head said: "He apparently grabbed the girl and tried to pull her into a nearby wooded area.

A noise was heard which caused the man to release his hold on the girl."

The girl then returned home to raise the alarm and police were called to the scene but a search of the area failed to produce anything.

Following the incident, the girl was taken to Kendal police station, where she was interviewed by specially trained officers.

This week, Mike Head said police at Kendal were continuing their investigations.

"Clearly this incident does cause us some concern and it was certainly distressing for the girl concerned.

We would urge members of the public to come forward if they have seen someone matching this description or if they have seen something suspicious and have not yet come forward."

Anyone who was staying in the Ambleside area over the last few days who saw anyone fitting the man's description should contact Kendal Police on 01539 722611 or contact Crimestoppers 0800555111.