GAZETTE & HERALD: POLICE in Calne are hunting a serial flasher who struck twice within minutes terrifying a group of schoolgirls and a pensioner.

The man, thought to be in his 40s, exposed himself to the girls at around 6.30pm on May 3 as they played close to Calne Fire Station.

PC Simon Lloyd said police were treating the incident seriously and urged anyone with information to contact him.

"We want to jog people's memories," he said. "This scrub area is popular with dog walkers and youngsters meeting to use the skate park. Other people may have seen him."

The flasher's first victim was a 66-year-old local woman who was out walking her dog.

The culprit ran towards her, pulling his shorts tight and accentuating his genitalia. The woman was so frightened she immediately called the police.

But PC Lloyd said by the time they reached the scene, the man had already disappeared.

Following further inquiries, police discovered that a group of young girls walking in the opposite direction had seen the same man.

They said he was standing with his back to them with his shorts around his ankles when he suddenly turned around and exposed himself.

Shocked and frightened, the girls, aged between 14 and 16, started to run off but the man chased them.

PC Lloyd said they lost sight of him not long after.

"One minute he was there and the next he was gone," said PC Lloyd. "By the time we got to the scene he was long gone.

"We are hoping someone will recognise his description and call in. It's been almost a month now and we've still had no luck."

Calne county councillor Tony Trotman said it was a serious problem that needed to be addressed.

"There were sightings of somebody near London Road doing the same thing a couple of months back," he said. "We were concerned at the time but this makes it even worse.

"The fact that there were young girls involved and that it was so early in the evening means we must act quickly. I just hope it hasn't worried the youngsters too much."

Coun Trotman asked anyone who saw anything strange to call the police on 999.

"They need to be contacted straight away," he said. "People are afraid to make emergency calls sometimes but the police need to catch this man."

Calne Mayor Cathy Bowyer, who has young children, said she was anxious for young people's safety and encouraged parents to be aware of where their children were.

"I'd advise children to walk around in groups rather than on their own and say they need to be more aware than ever for their own safety," said Coun Bowyer.

The flasher is described as a white male, approximately 5ft 8ins tall, stocky build, with receding dark hair.

He was wearing dark shorts, white trainers and a dark blue, black and white top, possibly a Bath rugby shirt, and gold rimmed round glasses.