DETECTIVES in Edinburgh were last night investigating two separate

incidents in which attempts were made to lure young children into cars.

Lothian and Borders Police said they could not rule out a link because

of the similarities of descriptions given by the youngsters of the man

who approached them.

The first incident, about 3.30pm on Tuesday, happened in Burdiehouse

Drive, when a man tried to persuade a seven-year-old girl to get into

his vehicle. She refused and ran home.

The second happened about an hour later, when an 11-year-old boy was

approached in Laurieston Place in similar circumstances.

He also refused and the man drove off. His car may have been a Nissan

or old type Ford Cortina.

The man was said to be about 40, plump, scruffily dressed, and either

bearded or unshaven.

A police spokesman said yesterday: ''Because of the similarities in

the description of the culprit, the possibility that the incidents are

linked cannot be ruled out.

''Any incident of this nature gives us cause for concern, fortunately

the children did the right thing by not getting into the car and we are

appealing to anyone who may be able to help in our inquiries to come

forward.''