A TODDLER has been taken into care after he was found running across a busy Colchester road on his own.

Horrified motorists were forced to pull over after seeing the young boy run across Cowdray Avenue.

Members of the public became increasingly concerned for the tot, dressed only in women’s over-sized trainers, pyjama bottoms and a large Parka-style jacket.

Two motorists grabbed the boy, believed to be aged no more than three, and tried to talk to him to find out his address.

They said they struggled to understand him or to establish where he lived, so took him to Colchester fire station, which is in Cowdray Avenue.

The Good Samaritans left the toddler in the care of the firefighters, who called the police to collect him.

Nishan Wijeratne, a spokesman for Colchester police, said: “Police were contacted by the fire and rescue service shortly after 10am on Monday, following concerns for a young boy found alone on Cowdray Avenue. Officers carried out inquiries on who his parents were and where he lived.

“The boy’s mother contacted police an hour later, but officers chose to contact Essex County Council’s Social Services department, who have taken the boy into care.”