A REDDITCH mum is warning parents to be on their guard after a man tried to entice her young daughter with sweets at the Kingfisher Centre.

Juliet Lote, of Matchborough, was in Worcester Square with her partner, son Peter, 10, and daughter Arlene, seven, at about 1.30pm on Sunday, December 23.

Mrs Lote said Arlene was only a few feet away from the rest of the family when the man approached her.

She added: "I walked over and he said to her, 'If you'd like to come with me round the corner, there are free lollipops being given away'."

Mrs Lote said she grabbed her daughter and the man walked off.

Kingfisher Centre customer services manager Steve Flynn confirmed the incident took place.

He added: "Security officers acted very quickly. We are pleased the procedures we have in place proved their worth.

"A complete sweep of the centre was carried out but there was no indication of anyone present."

A police spokesman said the man was described as white, in his 40s and about 5ft 5ins tall with thin brown hair and of slim build.

He was wearing a bright orange padded jacket with white sleeves and dark trousers.