POLICE are investigating after three terrified young schoolgirls were chased by a stranger in a York street.

The youngsters were on their way to Woodthorpe School at about 8.45am yesterday when the man accosted them. He approached the trio and made as if to show one of them a letter. The man, aged about 45, then asked one of the girls for her telephone number.

When she refused, he chased all three along Summerfield Road.

He grabbed one girl by the arm, causing slight bruising, and allegedly shouted abusive comments at another. The attack left the girls, aged eight and nine, shaken and upset.

Acting head teacher Johnathan Hodge said the school was very concerned about the incident.

He said: "We have spoken to children about the problem of strangers and what they should do. We were very pleased that the girls did exactly the right thing by running off and telling us about it immediately."

Sergeant Colin Ventress of York Police said officers were making inquiries in the area around the school. Police describe the attacker as 5ft 10in, of heavy build and aged about 45. He was bald, but with brown hair at the sides and a brown beard. The man was wearing black jogging bottoms with a red T shirt with either York or York City on it, and brown trainers.

Updated: 14:26 Friday, September 21, 2001