POLICE revealed today they were investigating two attempts to lure children into cars in York villages.

In both incidents, which took place in Dunnington and Wheldrake, the man was said to be driving a silver vehicle, be of medium build and have blond hair.

Police today said it would be "unlikely" that the incidents were not connected.

In the first incident a 13-year-old boy was waiting in Common Road, Dunnington, to catch the bus to Archbishop Holgate's School in York. The man pulled up opposite, then stopped and asked the boy if he wanted a lift.

In the second, two boys, aged ten and seven, were playing in a park in Wheldrake when a man asked them if they wanted a lift.

They refused and he drove off.

The father of the boy from Dunnington, who asked not to be named, said:

"He asked my son if he wanted a lift, but he said no. Then the bloke said: 'It is nice and comfortable in my vehicle,' then as luck would have it the school bus came around the corner.

"He got on to the bus and texted his mum straight away on his mobile phone.

"Thankfully our son wasn't hurt, but it has left him badly shaken up and uptight about it all.

"He hasn't really wanted to talk about it, but to his credit he still wants to carry on as normally as possible."

The father, who asked not to be named, said: "It is worrying for us knowing this idiot is out there. Our daughter, who is 11, gets the bus from that stop as well in the morning, so we watch them until they get on.

"You don't want to overreact, but you never take any chances where your children are concerned."

North Yorkshire Police spokesman Tony Lidgate said: "The children did the right thing by not getting into the vehicles and telling someone what had happened as soon as possible.

"Unfortunately by the time the incidents had been reported the trail had gone cold. But these incidents do serve as a timely reminder now the mornings are getting darker and colder, no matter how tempting it may seem to accept a lift do not do it."

The Dunnington incident happened at about 7.45am on September 17.

The incident in Wheldrake happened at about 7.30pm last Monday, September 23.

Anyone with information is asked to phone the police on 01904 631321.

Updated: 14:50 Thursday, September 26, 2002