POLICE have arrested a man in connection with the attempted abduction of a young girl near a primary school in Darwen.

The man, who has not been identified, was arrested by detectives yesterday and has been released on police bail for two weeks while police continue their enquiries.

Detectives said it was now "crucial" that they trace a good Samaritan who chased off the would-be abductor after he had grabbed the nine-year-old girl as she played with friends.

The girl was in a field next to Radfield Avenue, near St Joseph's School at 9pm on Saturday when the man, wearing a ski mask, struck.

The good Samaritan chased the man down Bolton Road before losing sight of him near the Britannia pub.

Parents were being urged to remain calm following the attempted abduction.

Mrs Susan Jackson, headteacher at St Joseph's School in Limes Avenue, which is close to the scene of the attempted snatch, said: "We want to reassure parents that there is no need to panic.

"We remain vigilant in the care of children during school hours.

"We would remind parents of the importance of knowing the whereabouts of children when they are not at school."