A man dressed up as a schoolgirl was supposedly trying to speak to female pupils outside a Beaconsfield grammar school in a terrifying incident that has been reported to police.

A photo which appears to show the man wearing a skirt, blonde wig and a blue school blazer has been shared hundreds of times on social media as parents try to warn others about the unsettling incident on June 30.

The man was apparently spotted in Wattleton Road in Beaconsfield – where there are two schools, Beaconsfield High School and The Beaconsfield School – on Wednesday afternoon.

In one warning, a parent said: “If you have a child at any of the schools down Wattleton Road, please keep alert. This was sent by a mother of a child from one of the schools.

“This is a man dressed in Beaconsfield High School uniform, wearing a wig, who was outside Beaconsfield High School yesterday trying to talk to girls.

“He was approached by a mum who asked what he was doing, he said collecting money for charity.

“It has been reported to the police but please let your daughters know and be vigilant.”

Beaconsfield High School posted on Facebook and Twitter to praise pupils for raising the alarm.

They said: “Thank you to all that have reported the local incident last night. We have contacted the police and they are following up. Well done to all of the girls who contacted [head teacher] Mrs Smith and told her later in the evening.”

A Thames Valley Police spokesman said: "Thames Valley Police was called just after 3.45pm on Wednesday following reports of a suspicious person.

"Officers attended Wattleton Road, Beaconsfield and spoke to a man matching the description provided.

"There were no reports of any offences being committed."