Police say they were first spotted at around 6.30pm on 30th April when a group of three children, all aged under 10, were approached by two unidentified men in a car on Bannerman Road in Kirkby.

Officers believe the men then tried to encourage one of the children to get into the vehicle, but they refused and ran home.

The second incident occurred between 6.30-6.40am on Friday morning when a 15 year-old girl was followed by a car while she was doing her paper round in the Victoria Road area of Kirkby.

Police say both men are white, with one aged around 20 years old, around 5ft 7in tall and with a fat build. He had short spiky brown hair and was wearing a black coat, blue jeans and brown shoes.

The second man was about 30 years old, slightly taller than the first man and of thin build. He was wearing a brown baseball cap with holes in it, a white short-sleeved shirt, black trousers and white trainers.

The vehicle the two men were driving in the first incident is described as blue or green and may be similar in shape to a Ford Focus.

Said Det Insp Russ Dew, who is investigating the incidents: "We have increased the level of high visibility patrols in the Kirkby area and would ask both parents and children to be on the lookout for any vehicle or men matching these descriptions."

Anyone with any information should contact Nottinghamshire Police immediately on Mansfield 420999 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.