Police have issued a description of a man who randomly walked up to a horrified mother and picked up her one-year-old baby.

The 40-year-old was outside Seasalter Christian Centre in Faversham Road when the incident took place on Friday July, 13.

Several of her children were helping to unpack the car ahead of a party, when a man walking a German Shepherd-type dog approached them.

The mother, who also had her 11-year-old with her, explained. "He held him up and said 'you have lovely eyes, aren't you gorgeous?'

Then he said 'why are you shaking? I'm only holding you'.

"I let him know I was there and asked if my children knew the man. He said no."

A friend of the family then took the baby from the stranger, but the man proceeded to approach other children nearby.

"He then walked over to two children the other side of me and said 'you can come over and stroke my dog, she won't bite'

"I then told the kids to go inside, and he then walked off.

"It was a scary experience all round. I felt sick for days."

Police were called at 4.20pm but have failed to locate the perpetrator.

A spokesman confirmed: "No attempt was made to walk away with the child but officers are keen to speak to the man so they can establish the circumstances.

"He is described as being aged between 40 and 50, white, slim and with a southern accent.

"He was wearing a blue polo shirt with a red logo on and blue jeans and had a black, long-haired German Shepherd-type dog with him."

Anyone who recognises the description should contact police on 01843 222289 quoting reference number ZY/41014/18.