POLICE have issued an alert after a man tried to grab a teenage girl in the woods near Coleford.

The 13-year-old girl managed to escape from the man by kicking him in the groin.

The teenager was walking in woodland next to Berry Hill Rugby Club when the man approached and tried to grab hold of her. The girl kicked him and ran away.

Police are now searching for the man following the incident which happened at around 8am on Sunday.

The man who grabbed the girl is described as being around 5ft 10ins tall, possibly in his late 20s and well built. He was wearing a dark jumper, blue jeans and big black work boots.

Police are appealing for anyone, especially dog walkers who may have been in the area at the time, to get in touch if they saw anything.

Anyone who can help should call police on 0845 090 1234, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting incident 229 of November 28.