A FIVE-YEAR-OLD boy who went missing from Knoll Beach in Studland was found two miles away.

The Swanage Coastguard Rescue Team was called out Tuesday evening to assist police in the search for the child.

The youngster was found an hour after he was first noticed missing by a concerned member of the public – he had walked two miles to Shell Bay in that time.

A spokesperson for Swanage coastguard said: “With the bank holiday weekend approaching, and some scorching temperatures, the beaches are currently packed with families.

“It’s more important than ever for parents to keep a close eye on their children as they so easily vanish into a crowd. And, as we saw [on Tuesday], even at a steady pace, children can soon find themselves a fair distance away.

“Think about agreeing a place to rendezvous and/or a child’s wristband with your name and mobile number on it.”