A BOY who narrowly avoided being abducted after lessons ended at a York school has been praised for his quick thinking by his head teacher.

Jonathan Hodge, principal at Woodthorpe Primary School said the pupil acted in precisely the right way when a stranger approached him on Tuesday afternoon.

Mr Hodge said the incident had been extremely frightening for the child, who is believed to be nine or ten.

He said during the incident outside the school gates the boy remembered what he had been told in class.

"The boy was approached by a stranger who told him he had been sent to collect him by his mum, so the boy asked him what his mum's name was and when he couldn't tell him he ran off," said Mr Hodge, "All credit to him, this was an awful situation, but he did exactly the right thing.

"We always advise the children to run away and make as much noise as possible in a situation like this to attract attention.

"I will be taking a special assembly to speak to the children about the incident and writing to parents and the schools' neighbours also."

The Press reported yesterday the kidnap scare came only weeks after a hooded man tried to abduct two Year 4 pupils near another York school leading to hundreds of parents being sent warning letters.

On that occasion Hob Moor Community Primary School, in York, had sent out letters to parents after they were told about two Year 4 pupils from nearby Carr Junior School, in Acomb, being approached by a man wearing a hood and with a scarf pulled across his face. The youngsters refused to go with the man.

The man who approached the boy at Woodthorpe School was also wearing a hooded top, but the police have not linked the incidents.

Detective Sergeant Vicky Burton, of York CID, said the man outside Woodthorpe School was in his late 20s or early 30s and wearing black jeans as well as the black hooded top.

She said: "I would ask that all parents speak to their children and reiterate the message that they should not talk to strangers.

"I am obviously aware of the recent incident in the Acomb area where two young girls were approached by an unknown man on Woodlea Avenue on the afternoon of Sunday, January 20.

"While there are similarities about the nature of the incidents and the fact that both suspects wore hooded tops, at this time I am keeping an open mind as to whether they are linked or not.

"I ask parents and other members of the community to remain vigilant and anyone who may have information regarding this incident are urged to phone York CID direct on 01904 669572 or 0845 6060 247.

"Witnesses can also phone Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111."