POLICE searching for a 13-year-old boy who went missing while on a school trip to Moors Valley on Tuesday afternoon say he has been found.

Damian De Oliveira had last been seen at around 3.30pm.

A major search was launched for the teenager involving the police helicopter and Dorset Search and Rescue.

He has now been found in the Christchurch area.

"Officers searching for missing teenage boy Damian De Oliveira are very pleased to confirm he has been found safe and well," Dorset Police said.

"We would like to thank everyone who shared our appeal as well as Dorset Search and Rescue (DorSAR) and others who assisted with searches."