POLICE officers patrolled Corfe Mullen at the end of the school day on Tuesday afternoon after worried parents reported a man offering their children sweets.

The man, reportedly middle aged and wearing black, had apparently approached a number of children in the high street as they walked home from Lockyer's Middle School on Monday afternoon.

A Dorset Police spokesman said: "Dorset Police received several calls yesterday afternoon about a man offering sweets to children in the Corfe Mullen area.

"This is believed to have happened around 2.30pm. No offences have been committed. Local officers will be patrolling the area at the end of the school day to offer reassurance to residents and parents.

"We are making enquiries to identify the man but there is nothing to suggest any offence has occured."