POLICE are investigating after a man was spotted taking photographs of children in the playground of a York primary school.

Parents have been warned to be on their guard after the man, who fled when he was approached by staff, was spotted at Haxby Road Primary School, at about 11am on Monday.

Only 45 minutes earlier, there had been reports of a naked man outside the nearby Joseph Rowntree School.

York Police spokesman Colin Ventress said: "Members of staff noticed a man taking digital photographs outside the school. The man was poking through the fence and taking pictures of the children.

"Members of staff challenged him and he ran off."

Kevin Ouccerson, of Bell Farm Avenue, whose six-year-old son, Kieron, goes to the school, said: "We had a letter from the school on Monday night, saying someone had been apprehended for taking pictures of the children in the morning.

"It's terrifying to think there may have been a paedophile outside the school. Why else would he be taking photos? We are very upset and angry."

In the letter, head teacher Nick Long said: "A man was seen around the school fence today, holding a camera. When approached the man ran off.

"We have contacted the police. But in a week when so many activities will be on the school field, I would ask you all to be vigilant, as we will be."

Earlier that morning, a man was seen running around naked near a secondary school further along Haxby Road, less than two miles away.

A police spokesman said an 18-year-old woman had reported seeing a man in the bushes outside Joseph Rowntree School at about 10.15am.

The head teacher, Hugh Porter, said he had searched the area after a call from a member of the public.

He said: "I went to look around and I met some dog walkers who said they had called the police.

"They said a girl, about 19-years-old, had told them she had seen a naked man in some trees about a quarter of a mile away.

"They had a good look around the area, but couldn't see anyone.

"I patrolled the perimeter of the school fence, but I didn't see anything. I was assured there was no naked man anywhere near the school."

He said no staff or students had seen anything.

Mr Porter added: "There was no need to notify parents because I didn't perceive there was any threat to the school or to the children at the school."

The man outside Haxby Road Primary School was described as white, tall, with mousy brown hair and wearing a white top with black shorts. He had a "modern" rucksack across his chest.

The man outside Joseph Rowntree School was described as white, aged about 30, 5ft 8ins tall, of slim build, with short, light brown hair, spiked in the middle. Before the incident he had been wearing pale blue jeans and a dark blue T-shirt with a large, white motif on the front.

Anyone who can help identify either of the men is asked to phone York Police on 0845 60 60 247.