AN abduction attempt on a 16-year-old student failed when she struggled free, York police said today.

The girl was grabbed and told to get into a car by a man who had sounded his horn at her shortly before yesterday's incident.

Detective Inspector Phil Metcalfe, of York police, today appealed for witnesses to the snatch attempt.

He said the girl, who is a student at York College, was walking back to campus after lunch when a car with one male occupant drove past and sounded his horn at her near the Askham Bar branch of Tesco.

A short time later, at around 2pm, the girl saw the same car parked near the college.

DI Metcalfe said that as the girl walked past the car, the occupant beckoned her over and tried to grab her arm through the window and told her to get inside.

She managed to struggle free and run off.

The car police want to trace in connection with the incident is described as a blue, modern two-door vehicle, similar to a Vauxhall Tigra but bigger.

The man is described as white, sun-tanned and in his mid 40s.

Of average build and height, he had short cropped dark hair that was greying at the sides.

He had a chubby face with stubble and sticking out ears, and was wearing a blue long- sleeved shirt.

Det Insp Metcalfe urged anyone who recognised the description of the man, or who saw the car in the area at the time of the incident to contact York police on 01904 631321.