A SCHOOL has issued a warning to parents after a driver pulled up alongside a schoolgirl and asked her to get in his car.

The Gilberd School sent out a warning message to all parents yesterday following the incident on Tuesday.

In the message seen by The Gazette, the school described how a man in a silver car stopped and asked the girl to get in, on the pretence of asking for directions.

The student managed to take the registration number of the car and a description of the car and the man has been passed to the police.

The email reads: "It is important that the students feel safe travelling on their journey to and from The Gilberd School and we advise that they follow some basic rules which we have issued in previous emails.

"Always walk with a friend if possible. Always tell a parent or carer what time they will be home. Ensure that they can dial 999 from a mobile phone in an emergency. If they notice someone driving or acting suspiciously nearby and they are not near home or school, look for another member of the public and stay close by them.

"If you have any concerns at all please contact Essex Police on 101.

"In addition, please also contact the school and advise us of any such incidents so that we may share the information with our Primary feeder schools."

More information to follow.