POLICE have stopped searching for a young boy seen wandering around part of Bournemouth in the early hours of yesterday morning.

At around 4.30am the boy was first seen walking along the street by a member of the public at the junction of Iford Lane and Seafield Road.

A short time later a second person saw the boy heading toward Littledown Centre near to the roundabout at Iford.

She stopped to talk to him and asked whether he was all right. The boy replied that he was fine.

Both members of the public described the boy as around six years old and wearing sports shorts and a T-shirt. He was also carrying a torch and a rucksack.

Chief Inspector Bob Acaster, of Dorset Police, said: “There is nothing to suggest that the boy was in any distress but obviously we are concerned for his welfare as he appeared very young and was out on his own at the early hours of this morning.

“We have not received any reports of a missing child of his description and have not been able to establish who the boy may be.

“Anyone who sees a boy matching the description in the area or has any further information about him should contact us urgently as we want to ensure he is safe and well.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police on 101.

A spokesperson confirmed this morning that officers are no longer carrying out active searches for the boy as they had received no further sightings or information.