POLICE have appealed for witnesses after a ten-year-old girl claimed to have been attacked in a playground.

The girl told officers she was approached from behind by a man in Stoke Park, Mitre Copse, Eastleigh.

He grabbed her round the waist and lifted her up but she retaliated by picking up a stick and hitting him with it.

She says her attacker fell to the ground and she ran away.

Officers are now warning children to be aware of their own personal safety.

Anyone with information about the incident, which took place on Wednesday at about 3.15pm, should contact Eastleigh Safer Neighbourhoods team on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.