A woman attempted to lure away an eight-year-old by offering to show him puppies before trying to drag him into a car, police have said.

The woman approached the child as he played hide and seek with friends at the Chorlton Water Park nature reserve in the suburbs of Manchester and called him to come over.

When the boy refused to come with her she grabbed his top and tried to drag him into the vehicle, Greater Manchester Police said.

He was able to fight back and ran away after the incident at around 5.45pm on Monday.

Police said the woman was a passenger in the back of the grey Toyota 4x4-style car with tinted windows, while two men were sitting in the front.

They have issued an appeal for any witnesses to the incident to come forward.

Detective Inspector Paul Walker said "clearly this is a worrying set of circumstances" but assured residents that police were actively investigating the incident.

The woman involved in the incident is described as white, and wearing a bobble type hat and sunglasses.

Both of the men in the car were also white.

Police have appealed for any witnesses in the area to contact police on 101 or get in touch with Crimestoppers 0800 555 111.