PUPILS are being warned to be on their guard after a sex pest targeted three young girls close to a Hampshire school, in just 24 hours.

Police patrols have been stepped up around Wildern School in Hedge End after a stranger grabbed one girl and made lewd comments to two others.

Two 11-year-old girls were approached by a man shouting obscene remarks at them as they played with a sledge on the corner of Westward Road, on Sunday afternoon.

Less than 24 hours later the stranger grabbed a 15- year-old Wildern pupil as she was walking back to school along Goodalls Lane track, between the school and Wildern Nature Park. He began making indecent comments towards her before she was able to break free from his grip and run back to school, where she reported the incident to her head teacher.

Officers are not linking the incidents to the serial flasher who has been stalking the streets of the town since last year.

The man is described as having tanned skin, aged between 20 and 30 and spoke with a foreign accent.

Officers are working closely with the school who have warned pupils via messages in classes and on computers, offering advice on personal safety.

Contact PC Clarke at Hedge End police station on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.