A CYCLIST with bad teeth is being hunted after a Spa schoolgirl was followed home from classes.

The 13-year-old has told police a male bike rider tailed her from Droitwich Spa High School, Briar Mill, between 3.55pm and 4.05pm, on Monday.

She first spotted him fixing a red mountain bike on the roadside and while walking home, noticed the man was just a few metres behind her.

As she turned into the alleyway leading to Park Way, the man got in front of her and blocked her path.

No physical contact was made but the frightened teenager told him to leave her alone, turned and ran away.

Police are now seeking a man in his twenties or thirties, described as pale, with short brown or black hair, bad teeth and possibly dark brown eyes.

He wore khaki trousers, a khaki T-shirt with medium black horizontal stripes and black leather shoes.

Sgt Janet Heritage is investigating the incident. She wants to hear from anyone in the area on Monday afternoon and particularly from a boy aged 15 to 16 who was seen riding a blue bike near the alleyway.

"Although this is an isolated incident, we are naturally taking the matter very seriously," she told the Advertiser.

"I would remind youngsters that if they are offered lifts or are concerned by anyone they believe to be following them they should go immediately to the nearest busy area with lots of people around, or run straight home."

Yesterday, headteacher at Droitwich High, Allan Foulds, said the police had contacted him about Monday's incident: "If police have information that could affect students' safety, it is passed onto us and we look at the best way of alerting pupils," he said.

"We want the children to be safe and secure but we do not want to alarm or scare them. I have to tread very carefully. Usually I will write a letter and it's read out to each class. I also ensure staff are made aware of the fuller details."

Anyone with any information on the incident can call police on 08457 444 888.