A 10-year-old girl was chased by a stranger on her way to Isleworth Town Primary School this morning, it is understood.

The youngster was walking from the Worton Road estate to the school in Twickenham Road when she noticed she was being followed.

When she started running he gave chase but she was able to safely get inside the school gates and raise the alarm with staff, according to a parent.

The school has issued a letter to parents advising them of the incident.

The assailant is described by the school as a man of Asian appearance and medium height, aged 25-30, with a long beard. He is said to have been dressed in grey and wearing a grey hat.

John Dalton, who has five children at the school, said: "I'm very concerned because the police have been there all day and it makes me wonder if he's out there lurking somewhere."

The school's headteacher Eileen Sheedy confirmed it had reported the incident to police and there had been a strong police presence around the site today.

A police spokesman said patrols had been stepped up in the area as they 'urgently' try to trace the man.

* Anyone who believes they have seen the man in question is advised to call the non-emergency police number 101.