POLICE are appealing for witnesses following an incident where a man passed his phone number to an 11-year-old girl in the street.

The incident happened in Swadford Street, Skipton, opposite the Sports Direct store, at about 3.30pm on Tuesday, June 19.

The girl, who was walking home with a friend from Greatwood School, went to put some litter in a bin near the Cock and Bottle pub when the unknown man approached her.

He smiled and said: "Hi", before passing the girl a piece of paper with a number written on and said: "Phone me."

He then left the girl with her friend and crossed the road, and the girl then immediately walked to her grandfather's address in Raikeswood Road and informed him what happened.

The man is described as black, aged in his 30s, clean shaven, approximately 5ft 10ins tall, of slim build and with dark short afro hair, and was wearing dark clothing and a backpack.

North Yorkshire Police are appealing for anyone who may have witnessed the incident, or who saw a man fitting the description in the area at the time, to get in touch.

People are asked to call 101, quoting crime reference number 12180109296, or can report information anonymously to independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Parents are also being reminded, that while incidents like this are rare, to tell their children the following four rules:

- Never go anywhere with a stranger

- Never take things from a stranger

- Never get in a car with a stranger

- Never go off on your own