The family of a schoolgirl who fled from two men beckoning her to get in their van said they will “never get over” the terrifying incident.

Police are still hunting for the two men who approached Courtney Hilden, 13, as she was walking home from a friend’s house in Park Lane, Ramsden Heath.

They pulled alongside her in their white Transit van and the driver called her over, saying “I’ve got something for you”.

The passenger then got out and beckoned her to get inside, at which point the teenager screamed and ran off.

The girl’s mother, Donna, 46, of Brabner Gardens, Ramsden Heath, said her family have been left shocked and on edge following the incident.

Themum-of-four said: “I don’t think we will ever truly get over it. It’s been very shocking and frightening for us all.

“It’s been very upsetting for me and my husband. You just don’t expect it to happen.

“Every time we go out nowwe are always looking over our shoulder and wondering.

“Courtney has been very good. She had a few days off school, but she has gone back now.

“I am actually taking her and picking her up now. I don’t want her getting on the school bus again.

“She was on her own at the time.”

She urged parents to always warn their children about the risks associated with strangers.

She said: “Luckily, I have always taught her about stranger danger and if anyone stops and asks you to get inside, then run away.

“I have always drummed it into their heads. I think children definitely need to be aware.”

Police have now released a more detailed description of the two men.

Sgt Angie Torrance, based at Basildon police station, said: “The driver was described as a white male with tanned skin, who was approximately 50 years old.

“He had neat, straight, short, grey hair, was wearing a white or blue hooded top and had a deep voice with a local accent.

“The passenger was a white male with pale skin, aged between 40 and 50 years old, had dark brown hair, which was long on top and short on the sides.

“He was wearing a black hooded top and blue jeans.”

Anyone with information can call Essex Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.