By Steph Brawn

POLICE are on the trail of a tattooed man who approached a nine-year-old girl and asked her to come home with him.

The youngster is understood to have been enjoying a barbecue in Bridge of Weir on Sunday May 27, while on the way back to her home, she was approached by a man in Watt Road at about 4.30pm.

The man, who has a distinctive spider tattoo on one of his hands, told the girl her parents had said she was to go home with him.

However, the girl managed to run away and quickly raised the alarm.

Police have said the man is aged 20 to 30 and was slurring his words, although it is thought he spoke with a mixed English and American accent.

He is also described as about 5ft 11ins and balding, with slight hair to the sides.

At the time, he was wearing a short black puffer jacket, ripped baggy jeans and white Adidas trainers.

Police have said he may also have had a slight limp.

Inspector Cassie Glass, who is based at Johnstone police office, said enquiries were continuing in an effort to find the man.

She added: “A nine-year-old girl was approached by a man at about 4.30pm. I believe she had been at a family barbecue and was approached on her way home from this.

“We have a very good description of this man, who apparently said something to the girl like ‘your parents said you have to come with me’.

“Somebody must have seen him. If you saw this man, or recognise the description, I would ask you to contact us urgently.”

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.