A nationwide appeal will be made for help in catching a man who tried to snatch an eight-year-old East Sussex girl from the street.

A re-enactment of the moment when the youngster was almost abducted will be screened on BBC1's Crimewatch programme on Thursday.

The girl was playing with friends in Woodsgate Avenue, Bexhill, on Sunday, May 18, when the man appeared from bushes at the junction of The Avenue and London Road.

He grabbed her round the throat and threatened her.

The man lifted her up by her neck, making further threats, before she wriggled free of his grip while her friend screamed for help.

Officers questioned 394 motorists who were driving along the same road exactly a week after the incident.

But information leading to the culprit has so far eluded detectives and they are hoping the nationwide TV appeal will garner clues.

Detective Inspector Trevor Bowles, leading Operation Redoubt, said the girl was bearing up under the shock of the attack.

But he pleaded for anyone with even the smallest piece of information to call the incident room immediately.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Operation Redoubt incident room on 0845 6070999 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.