A terrified mother is warning other parents to be on the look out after her son was approached by a man in a van on his way to school.

Jade Hills, 30, says the driver twice invited her son Bobby to get into his vehicle in Hospital Hill, in Seabrook, which is between Cheriton and Hythe.

Police have now launched an investigation into the attempted abduction, which took place yesterday morning.

Bobby, who is 13, was riding to school at around 8.30am when the black van pulled over and a man inside asked him if he wanted a lift.

But after he refused and cycled away, the van turned around and once again approached him and demanded he got in the van.

Bobby again rode off and hid until the van had left.

Mrs Hills, from Sandgate, is now speaking out about the worrying incident in order to warn other parents to be vigilant.

She would also like to appeal to any witnesses to come forward who might have been in the area at the time and who might have dashcam footage.

Mrs Hills said: "My son left for school at about 8.30am heading up Hospital Hill on his bike.

"About half way up the hill a black van coming down the hill and approached my son.

"The man in the vehicle said 'do you want to get in I'll give you a lift'.

"My son declined and rode off.

"In the mean time the black 60 plate van has turned around to then go up the hill to again approach my son and this time told him to just get in the van.

"Again my son declined rode and hid, the van then just drove off."

"I understand this has happened on a few occasions with other local children. This man needs catching..." - Mrs Hills

The man is described as being in his early 50s, white, with stubble and a bald head.

Mrs Hills added: "I understand this has happened on a few occasions with other local children. This man needs catching."

The mum-of-seven also posted about the incident on Facebook.

In it she said: "Parents please keep your children alert. A man in a black van tried to kidnap Bobby this morning not once but twice!"

Police are investigating the incident.

A spokesman for the force said: "Kent Police was called at 9.39am on Tuesday to a report a child riding a bike in Hospital Hill, Hythe, was spoken to by a man driving a black van.

"The child refused to converse and cycled away.

"Initial enquiries to establish the full circumstances are underway."

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