POLICE have released an efit of a man wanted following the attempted abduction of a child in a city park.

As previously reported by the Daily Echo , a three-year-old girl was the subject of a snatching attempt in Riverside Park in the Bitterne Park area of Southampton.

The suspect lifted the child up while she was playing, only for her mother to challenge him before he headed off in the direction of Cobden Bridge.

The incident happened near to the minature trainline and playground, at the Nursery Road entrance to the park, at around 3.30pm on Friday.

The man was described as white with a slight tan, aged 35 to 40 years old, around 5 feet 7 inches tall, and of slim build.

He had a gaunt face with prominent cheekbones, short dark hair and a stubbly goatee beard.

The man was wearing a black T-shirt and dark baggy stonewashed jeans.

Police are appealing for witnesses. Contact Bitterne CID on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.