Two children were approached by a man in a car in separate incidents in Haddington, sparking a police investigation.

A nine-year-old girl raised the alarm after being approached by a man in a small two-door blue car in the Riverside Drive area of the East Lothian town on Wednesday afternoon.

She claimed the man tried to speak to her in the residential area at around 1pm.

Later that day, a nine-year-old boy also claimed he was approached by a stranger in a car at around 4.30pm.

On that occasion, the vehicle was described as a larger saloon-style car with dents of the nearside doors, rusty wheel arches and bird droppings on the bonnet.

The children described the man as white, in his 40s, with short brown hair a brown beard and wearing a short-sleeved striped shirt.

Local inspector Alan Hogarth said: "At this time we are trying to establish exactly what has happened during both these incidents and I would ask anyone with information to come forward.

"East Lothian remains a safe place and at this time I would urge the public to remain calm while we conduct our inquiries."

Anyone with information should contact Police Scotland on 101 or the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.