POLICE launched a massive search in Lymm on Friday night through to Saturday afternoon in a bid to find three youngsters who went missing from a nearby residential school.

The three 12-year-olds, Ryan Regan, Thomas Fredrickson and Analise Clarke left Massey Hall School in Thelwall at 11am on Friday and staff raised the alarm later that day when they failed to return. Police carried out door to door inquiries in the Lymm area, after the group were seen near to the Star Inn in Statham at midday, and asked householders to check outhouses, garages and barns. Sniffer dogs scoured the school site to see if they had returned during the night, while other dog handlers searched the Lymm area.

Officers were particularly concerned for their welfare because of the bad weather conditions overnight. The search was called off at around 10am on Saturday morning when the three were found safe and well in Statham Woods.