A search was launched by police after a child's clothes were found in woodland.

A member of the public alerted police at 6.50pm on Thursday evening after finding a top, some trousers and a sock in Chalkney Wood, near Earls Colne.

Police confirmed the clothes would fit a child under the age of ten and were slightly soiled.

A search group, including a police bloodhound, was immediately sent to the woods and police sent up a helicopter to scour the surrounding area.

The search was called off after the light began to fail.

Police did not confirm whether there is anything suspicious about the clothes.

As well as conducting a search of the area, Essex police are liaising with other forces to see if there have been any reported missing children.

Insp Graham Seal, of Braintree police, said on Friday: "A children's top, bottoms and sock were discovered which in itself is not suspicious.

"But we are carrying out the normal common procedures to make sure all the relevant inquiries have been carried out."

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