Police investigate Daniel sighting

Daniel went missing last Saturday

A man has come forward to say he saw seven-year-old Daniel Entwistle playing near a tidal river a few hours before he vanished.

Joe Zugor, 67, said he saw Daniel playing near a raised wall next to the River Yare in Great Yarmouth at lunchtime on the day he disappeared.

Mr Zugor said Daniel often played near the river wall with other children.

Daniel was last seen leaving his home, less than a mile from the river, at about 1700 BST last Saturday.

A bicycle matching Daniel's was later found at the spot where Mr Zugor saw the boy playing.

"I saw the little boy playing down here with some other boys at about dinnertime - lunchtime - on Saturday," said Mr Zugor.

The search for Daniel

Aerial view of key locations

"They were just standing around in the space by the wall. I didn't see them actually playing on the wall then.

"Then I saw him again playing with some other kids opposite my house which is just nearby at about 1600 BST on Saturday afternoon.

"Kids are playing down here by the river all the time. They play on the wall and climb about on it.

"I've been down here many times and told them to be careful, 'You'll be in the river', but they don't listen.

"I knew the little boy, you would see him around a lot. He was often with older boys.

Intensive search continues

"A nice little kid. It's so sad. I hope they find him soon."

Police fear that Daniel was playing on the wall and fell about 15 feet into the river below - although they say they are not ruling out other possibilities.

Detective Superintendent Julian Gregory said it was possible the boy had been abducted and he urged anyone with any information to come forward.

Intensive searches of the river and coastlines around Great Yarmouth continue on Friday.

The Entwistle family originally come from Burnley in Lancashire, but moved to Norfolk three years ago to be nearer Mrs Entwistle's family.