Worthing police have ruled out abduction as a motive following an incident involving a motorist and a ten-year-old boy.

Many people have been alarmed this week by a spate of attempted abductions involving teenage girls in the town.

But a police spokesman said the new case, which happened shortly before 3pm yesterday in Limbrick Lane, Goring, was different.

Officers are investigating reports that a man in a silver Mercedes drove up to the boy and started talking to him.

The boy kicked the car, rode off on his bicycle and told his mother, who called the police.

The man is described as about 30, with a beer belly and light brown hair. He was wearing a hooded jacket.

Meanwhile, detectives are still hunting a serial stalker who targeted five teenage girls in seven days.

The man tried to drag one victim into his car and has assaulted others.

He is described as Asian or Mediterranean, in his late 30s, chubby, with acne scars.