A GROUP of schoolgirls were left in tears after discovering a naked man hiding in a bush making kitten noises in Padgate.

Cheshire Police have launched an investigation after officers were called to a wooded area near Finningley Court in Padgate yesterday, Monday at 4pm.

Detectives say the group of children, who were accompanied by an adult, had been searching for what they thought to be kittens after hearing noises but instead came across a naked man holding a cushion in front of him.

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Posting on Facebook, the parent of one of the children raised the alarm as a warning to others.

He said: "I've never been so disgusted in my whole life. So I've just had my daughter on the phone – she is keeping it together but still shook up.

"Last Friday, I think it was, she rang me up saying that she could hear cat noises coming from a bush at the back of where she lives and she saw a cat run out of there but could still hear noises as if baby kittens were there.

"They were coming from behind a big spiked fence.

"She is a kind caring little soul and so wanted to go and find them.

"I told her not to but, kids being kids, she grabbed her lil mate, who is eight years of age, and walked around to try and help these kittens that they thought they could hear.

"They said they could hear noises right near where they had walked round to but couldn't manage to find anything, stating the noise seemed to get further away."

The concerned parent added that he hadn't given it much thought, presuming it could be rats but the kitten sounds could be heard over the following days.

"These poor little girls have been desperate to find these cats to help them.

"A couple of them went round with their mum again and found a naked man in a bush playing kitten noises.

"I'm absolutely disgusted and heartbroken for her and all the rest of the little girls involved – she's in tears."

Police made a search of the area, off Catfoss Close, but there was no trace of the man and there have not been any further reports.

Sgt Ruth Atherton said: “The children were understandably left shocked by the incident. I would urge anyone with any information on the man or who sees anyone acting suspiciously in the area to contact police.”

Call police in 101 or visit cheshire.police.uk/contact/general-enquiries/ quoting IML 146527.

Alternatively information can be given anonymously by contacting Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.