TWO young brothers were left upset and distressed after two men tried to entice them into their car, a court heard.

The boys, aged eight and 10, declined the offer to get into their vehicle and ran home to tell their motherl.

Aram Younis, aged 23 of Irvine Street in Leigh, and Hassan Meshedi, aged 31 of Chapel Street in Leigh, deny two charges of attempted child abduction.

Anthony O'Donohoe, prosecuting, told the jury on the first day of the Liverpool Crown Court trial that the incident happened on July 13 this year after the boys, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, left Crankwood Park in Abram.

As they were walking along a cul-de-sac, Crankwood Road, a light blue Renault Clio approached from the opposite direction.

Mr O'Donohoe said: "The prosecution case is that the driver was Meshedi and the passenger was Younis.

"Younis said through the open passenger window, 'Do you want to come in this car?'. The boys replied, 'No, we don't know you'

"Younis said, 'Come on boys, it's only a ride,'

"In that moment the older boy sensed his brother was about to move towards the car so he pulled his brother back and both boys ran home. 

"They seemed upset and not surprisingly their mother was distressed to hear of this matter and she immediately telephoned the police."

A police officer came to their home and while there he received radio communication to say that two men matching their description had been detained in Plank Lane, Abram.

"At the scene they categorically denied speaking to any children and claimed they had been looking for a nice spot to relax in the sunshine," said Mr O'Donohoe.

They were arrested and when interviewed they admitted having been in the general vicinity but again denied speaking to any boys. Meshedi admitted that they had driven down a cul-de-sac.

Mr O'Donoghoe told the court that the older boy picked out Meshedi on a video ID parade as the driver.

Younis, and Meshedi, are both being helped by a Kurdish Iranian interpreter and are representing themselves.

The trial continues.