A false rumour about a supermarket abduction attempt is being spread by email and text message.

People across Sussex have received messages telling them two Eastern European people tried to abduct a little girl in their local Asda store.

According to the message the girl was found in a toilet cubicle with her abductors shaving her hair and dressing her in boys clothes.

A spokeswoman for Asda said: “This urban myth has circulated for more than ten years and sometimes rears its head.

“It's as untrue today as it's ever been. It's clear from the number of calls we've received that it's doing the rounds again.”

A spokesman for Sussex Police said: "This is a very nasty urban myth that makes people worry.”

The messages have also been reported recently in London, Huddersfield, Leicester, Bradford and Manchester.