A POLICE sweep of ancient woodland was called off on Friday afternoon after the owners of discarded children's clothes were traced and found safe and well.
A child's top, trousers and a sock were discovered by a member of the public in Chalkney Woods, near Earls Colne, on Thursday evening.
Police search teams, including a bloodhound, scoured the wood and a police helicopter covered the area by air on Thursday evening and Friday morning.
Following extensive inquiries police were able to trace the children who owned the mystery clothes.
A police spokesman said the children had disturbed a wasps' nest, and had taken of the clothes when the stinging insects had got snagged and caught in the fabric.
Supt Peter Sheldrake, Braintree divisional commander, said: "I'm relieved to know the children are safe and well and I'd like to praise my team of officers who responded quickly to what may have been a more serious incident."
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