Missing boy's wellingtons found

Liam Sullivan was one of eight youngsters on an organised trip

Police have found the wellington boots of an eight-year-old boy who vanished while camping in Devon.

Liam Sullivan, from Exeter, disappeared from Bridge Reeve camp near Chulmleigh on Thursday morning.

The green boots, found on the edge of a stream by a member of the public on Thursday evening, have been identified by the boy's parents.

But a water bottle also discovered nearby on Friday morning did not belong to him.

The boy was part of a group of eight youngsters from all over Britain who were on a trip organised by WildWise Events, based in Dartington in Devon.

Liam Sullivan was staying at the Bridge Reeve camp site

Pc Sharon Newman, of Devon and Cornwall Police, said the organisers of the trip had discovered the boy was missing at 0945 BST on Thursday when they returned to the campsite after playing in nearby woods.

"They started their own search and knocked on doors. Then just after lunch they contacted police," she said.

Divers have searched a tributary of the River Taw, while police dogs and Dartmoor and Exmoor rescue group members are scouring the land.

The force helicopter, using a thermal imaging device, also joined the search.

Pc Newman said: "The actual search is being carried out by Dartmoor and Exmoor rescue groups.

Check outbuildings

"However, because there is a tributary of the river that runs behind the campsite, we have brought in our underwater search team."

The boy is described as white, 4ft 5in tall and of slight build.

He has blond hair, and was last seen wearing blue tracksuit bottoms and a red, long-sleeved top with white sleeves.

Local residents have been asked to check outbuildings and report any possible sightings immediately.