A Worthing schoolgirl was dragged into a car by her hair in a terrifying kidnap attempt as she walked to school.

The 14-year-old was walking to Durrington High School along Roedean Road at 8.40am yesterday when a man halted his car next to her.

He wound down the window and offered the girl a lift to avoid the torrential rain but she refused.

He then got out of the rusty white car, thought to be a Ford Fiesta, and grabbed her pony-tail, pulling her across the pavement towards the unlocked passenger door.

He opened the door and pushed forward the front seat as he attempted to bundle her inside.

The girl struggled and managed to push her attacker away. Police believe he may have suffered a scratched face.

The girl fled to safety and the man drove away.

She described him as aged 38 to 42, about 6ft tall and fat with a broken nose. He was untidily dressed and she said both he and the car smelt of fish.

A roadblock was set up this morning with parents and children asked if they had seen anything.

Police also began house-to-house inquiries.

Detective Sergeant Colin Smith said: "The weather was so appalling that very few people actually walked to school."

He is appealing for anyone who witnessed the attack or has noticed a man who fits the description and has scratch marks on his face, to contact police on 0845 6070999.