A young boy was found at the side of a busy Bolton road, sparking a police search to reunite him with his family. 

The boy, who the police believed to be one or two years old, was found by officers off Crompton Way near to their station at Astley Bridge at 4.15pm on Sunday.

UPDATE: Distraught mother speaks of horror as child escapes

He was found wearing a blue jumper, with the saying 'big waves, little surfer' on, blue jeans and no shoes.

Police carried out door to door enquiries looking for the little boy's family.

The mother of the child was found shortly after 5.35pm and was reunited with the boy who was safe and well.

A police spokesman said: "We are currently looking in to the circumstances as to how this has happened."