Those charges are as yet unspecified.

The BBC's Kevin Boquet: "Police were advised to go to the woodland location"

Charlotte was found in woodland near to her Warrington home on Tuesday.

She had been missing since Monday evening, and police believe she would not have survived for much longer outdoors.

They were alerted to her exact whereabouts by the child's cries.

More than 24 hours previously she had been reported missing by her 24-year-old mother, Michelle Jones.

WPc Critchely: Charlotte was "cold, wet and frightened"

Pc Janet Critchley, a child protection officer, spoke of the child's condition when she was first discovered in the undergrowth.

"She was naturally very cold, wet and frightened."

She said: "We were led by her crying and the crying motivated us to her and she obviously got very distressed when she saw us."

She described Charlotte as a "hardy little girl that's shown a lot of strength".

WPc Janet Critchley: "Charlotte needed lots of cuddles"

She told BBC News 24: "She's a happy confident little girl who last night just needed to feel safe and needed lots of cuddles."

Earlier, at a news conference WPc Critchley said it did not appear that Charlotte had moved from the spot in which she was found and there was no sign of food and drink with her.

Police, who have given Charlotte several presents including a Teletubbie toy, said her "immediate family" are with her at the hospital.

Doctors amazed at child's survival

Doctors treating Charlotte at a nearby hospital said she had a comfortable night and described her condition as fine.

The consultant paediatrician caring for Charlotte said he was amazed she had survived such an ordeal.

Dr Nick Wild, clinical director of childhealth with Warrington Hospital NHS Trust, said she was fit and healthy and "obviously a little bemused by all that's happened to her".

He said: "I was very surprised that she survived what was a potentially life threatening episode."

He said Charlotte had many scratches on her face and limbs from the brambles and "cold injuries" to her hands and feet.

"I think she must have taken her shoes and socks off," he said.

Detective Superintendent Kevin Hamilton described her survival as "miraculous" and said she was "a resilent and tough little girl".

He confirmed a 24-year-old woman was still in custody but had yet to be interviewed.

He said that charges may follow later today.

'Really scared'

A local man, whose isolated home is near the woodland where the child was found, said a policeman carried Charlotte into his home just moments after she was found in the woods.

Bill Aschroft: "I could see she'd been crying"

Bill Ashcroft said officers called at his house to search his shed and stables.

An hour later, an officer returned to the house with Charlotte in his arms.

Mr Ashcroft said: "I just left the door open. I was in the kitchen and I heard the CID man shout 'Bill, Bill'.

"I ran through and he was on the telephone and the little girl was on his knee, she looked just like she did in the pictures with a duffel coat on and her hair in bunches, she was hugging him.

Search conitinued as night set in

"She was very quiet and her eyes were watery. She looked really scared."

He said Charlotte's mother was waiting in a car outside.

Forensic officers have arrived at the scene where the girl was found, in Gypsey Wood, near Burtonwood, Warrington, and police have cordoned off the area.

DCI King, who also has a three-year-old daughter called Charlotte, said the case had affected all those involved.