A Braintree mum got a surprise awakening when her three-year-old son appeared at her front door with a total stranger

Toddler Ty Cripwell was fed-up with his Bob the Builder video and decided to find Thomas the Tank Engine at Braintree railway station.

Mum Chantel, of Warners Mill, said he put his step, usually reserved for using to brush his teeth, in front of the front door to get to the lock.

Then he went off barefoot in his pyjamas in search of Thomas. He was brought home by a stranger at 5.15am.

"It was really good that he knew where we lived. He's a clever boy. He's far too independent for his age," said Mrs Cripwell.

She said Ty had been waking up early and he usually went downstairs to put on a video.

"I heard Bob the Builder go on, but apparently he got bored with it," she said.

Published Tuesday June 29, 2004