Terrified girl escapes clutches of sick pervert clad in a Hallowe'en costume.

A CHILLING child abduction attempt was foiled when a Worcester schoolgirl ran away from a masked stranger in a Hallowe'en outfit.

The Pitmaston Primary School pupil freed herself after being dragged by a man wearing a mask, devil horns and skeleton shirt near the school on Monday afternoon.

Dragged off street by man in mask.

The girl, who has not been named, ran to her older sister and was said to be shaken but unhurt.

Children at the school were told about the incident yesterday.

Police are due to talk to pupils at Pitmaston and nearby Christopher Whitehead High School about their safety and a letter about the incident has been given to parents.

"Obviously we're shocked and appalled by the incident.

"We're working very closely with the police and trying to support and help them in whichever way we can," said Pitmaston headteacher Noel Pritchard.

"I felt that to reassure parents they needed to know about the incident and that's why the letter was sent out last night."

Many parents decided to accompany their children to Pitmaston this morning after learning about the incident.

Shocked

"I'm shocked, really, really shocked," said Liz McAuley, of Bransford Road, who gripped her nine-year-old daughter's arm as they approached the gates.

"I normally let her go on her own but I felt I should take her and pick her up."

Another parent said she "felt sick and just shook" after hearing the news, while one mum had "an awful night's sleep" after receiving the letter.

Police have appealed for witnesses to the incident, which happened at 4pm near Pitman's Park Gate.

The girl said the man had a brown beard and black trousers and dragged her along Winchester Avenue.

Anyone with information can call West Mercia police on 08457 444888 or on Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.