Police have launched an investigation after a man attempted to abduct two young girls in south Manchester. CCTV footage shows the suspect approaching an 11-year-old and 12-year-old girl on Claremount Road in Moss Side and putting his arms around them.

The man then then be seen walking away with his arms still around the girls and guiding them towards a small park off Claremont Road.

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The girls managed to get away and ran home to tell their parents about the incident. Police now want to speak with the man in connection with the attempted abduction. The man is described as a black man between 40 and 50-years-old, overweight, wearing a pink long sleeved shirt and a white topi-style cap.

Detective Constable Phil Bainbridge, for GMP's City of Manchester team, said: "Fortunately, the girls ran away and immediately told their parents what had happened. We have been carrying out a number of enquiries, including reviewing CCTV, as well as patrolling the area.

"We would encourage parents to speak with their children about the dangers of talking to strangers. We would ask children to never go off with anyone they do not know, get into a vehicle with a stranger, accept gifts off a stranger or wander off on their own."

Anyone with any information is urged to call police on 101 quoting incident number 2686 of 5 June 2016. Alternatively, information can be passed on anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.