Man held after child kidnap bid

Police in France have arrested a man who allegedly tried to abduct a 12-year-old Scottish girl he met through a social networking website.

The 41-year-old Belgian national was detained at Marseilles Airport where he is said to have tried to board a flight with the girl.

French police said the schoolgirl was from Glasgow and was on holiday with her family in Provence.

She had met the man after contact through a website.

Detectives said she had believed him to be in his 20s and had secretly arranged to meet him.

Man charged

According to the authorities they travelled to Marseilles Airport where the man abandoned the girl when he realised she did not have a passport.

He was arrested on board a flight to Madrid just minutes before it was due to take off.

The man has been charged with child abduction and remains in custody.

He is said to be a wealthy Belgian, who lives in Madrid.

The girl and her family have since returned to the UK.