POLICE are hunting a man who attempted to abduct a 14-year-old girl in broad daylight as she walked along a busy Southampton street.

It's the fourth attempted abduction in less than two months on the city's streets although police are not linking any of the incidents.

In the latest incident a man followed the teenager in his car as she walked along South East Road in Sholing on Friday at 2.40pm.

When she stopped outside the Co-op store to wait for a lift he parked his car in nearby Chapel Crescent.

He invited the girl, a pupil at Sholing Technology College, into his vehicle to keep out of the rain but she refused his offer.

He continued to make persistent requests before driving closer to where the girl was standing prompting her to go into the shop for safety.

The man was then seen driving off and then coming back again before driving away.

The mother of the victim, who does not want to be named, said her daughter had been shaken by her experience.

"Afterwards she had a good old cry.

"Now she is very nervous about going outside," the mum said.

The suspect is described as being dark skinned and in his twenties. He was wearing a T-shirt and a cap. He had dark hair and eyes and hairy arms.

His car is described as a sporty-looking dark-coloured Vauxhall Vectra saloon car with a boot spoiler and shiny, possibly alloy, wheels.

Police are appealing for anyone who recognises the description of the man to come forward.

The investigation team at Bitterne CID would also like to hear from the driver of a white Mercedes van who pulled up on the kerb before going into the Co-op at the same time as the attempted abduction.

A couple was also seen waiting in a lay-by in a silver car near to the Co-op store.

If you can help call PC Sue Hampton at Bitterne CID on 0845 045 4545.