A TROWBRIDGE mother's campaign to keep children safe from paedophiles was kick-started today.

Nicola Gregson, whose nine-year-old daughter Sophie was the victim of an attempted abduction, started her high-profile petition today in a bid to find out how many sex pests there are living in the community.

Police are still investigating the two attempted abductions of schoolgirls from Hilperton, which happened within the space of four days.

Mrs Gregson, 28, plans to target schools, shops and parents across west Wiltshire with her petition, which calls for police to reveal more information about the number of paedophiles living in each town.

Last week Wiltshire police revealed there are 217 registered sex offenders in the county, but said four have gone missing.

Mrs Gregson was today starting her door-to-door campaign with the help of other worried parents.

She said: "I am going to contact as many stores and shops in the town as possible. I hope other parents feel as worried about this as I do.

"I want these petitions all over the place so I can send them off to our MP. This is something I feel very determined about.

"We have been lucky to prevent a tragedy and by doing this I am hoping to stop another.

"With door-to-door campaigning I hope to have a lot of success as I can meet people and explain why I am doing this.

"We are starting with Hilperton then going into the Trowbridge estates with Studley Green first on the list.

"All we want is some figures to show how careful we need to be with our children. Otherwise we are completely blindfolded.

"It is about everybody in the community working together to get this."

Detectives have fielded scores of calls from people who have spotted a red car similar to the one driven by the attacker.

Video footage from stores in Hilperton has been seized and is being examined by officers for clues.

DC Alan Hardman of Trowbridge CID said: "We are still appealing for witnesses to come forward. People have spotted the red car in Chippenham but there have been no leads from these sightings.

"Every piece of information is being checked out."

The car used in the abduction attempts is described as a red, four-door saloon.

The man is described as white, in his 30s, with dark hair. He was wearing glasses.

Anyone with information should call DC Hardman on (01225) 763101.