POLICE are hunting a man of mixed race who tried to abduct a three-year-old boy from a play area in Gainsborough Close, Bemerton Heath.

The boy, who was with two older boys, was playing in the close about 5pm on Wednesday last week, when a burgundy-coloured Renault Clio pulled up.

A man called out to the boy and walked towards the lad, trying to persuade him to come to the car, but the boy remained where he was.

The car then drove off into Festival Avenue but a few moments later returned.

The car was being driven by a man in his early 20s, who had dark brown hair that was mostly straight but cut in a mushroom style and curled at the edges. The S-registered Clio also contained a second man, who was white and had short blonde hair.

Police would like to hear from anyone who knows the car or its occupants or anyone who saw the car or men in the vicinity of Gainsborough Close or in Festival Avenue.