Parents received a text this afternoon warning them about an attempted abduction near their children's school.

Those with children at Regis Manor Primary School in Middletune Avenue, Milton Regis, had a text message this afternoon breaking the news.

It read: "It has been reported today that a man tried to take a child from their parent in the local area."

A police spokesman said: "Police received a third party report of a possible accosting in the Milton Regis area of Sittingbourne at 1.06pm.

"No specific location was given and no victims have come forward, nor have any witnesses."

Police have appealed for anyone with information to call 101.

An NSPCC spokesman said: “It must have been a terrifying experience for the child and their parent and other parents in the area will be understandably worried but – thankfully – random abductions of children are rare.

“It’s essential that the person responsible is caught as soon as possible and that the child and parent are offered any support they need"

“There is a handy guide for parents with tips about how to keep young children safe while away from the home available on the NSPCC’s website.”

The school has also been contacted for comment.