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

The boy, who was with two older boys, was playing on a tarmac play area 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 was driven off into Festival Avenue, but a few moments later returned to the play area.

See Thursday's Journal for the full story