SCHOOL children were approached by a man as they played in Woodford High Road, yesterday, sparking a warning to parents in the area.

Officers launched a hunt for a man who spoke to youngsters through the school gates of Avon House Preparatory School at lunch time.

A member of school staff spotted the male approaching the school and ran over, but he fled the scene.

No children were in any danger according to the school, but all education centres in the area have been warned to be on the look-out.

Amanda Campbell, the head of the school, confirmed the incident.

She said: “Yesterday lunch time a man approached the emergency school gates in Cromer Road beside Traveller’s Friend Pub.

“A midday supervisor spotted him as he approached the gates and went towards him to ask him to leave.

“The man ran off and the school rang the police and checked the immediate vicinity.

“We also checked the pub and phoned all schools in the immediate vicinity to alert them.

The head stated that at “no time” were the children in danger as the school gates were locked and the only way to access the building is via a CCTV phone entry system.

Ms Campbell would not confirm what was said to the children or give any more details over the incident.

Police have been contacted for comment.