TWO families today spoke of "every parent's worst nightmare" after a couple of young cousins sparked a major search when they vanished on Darwen Moors.

And the mystery Good Samaritans who led the children to safety were today being sought so they could be thanked for their actions.

Danielle Harris, six, and Emma Thomas, 10, went missing for two hours during a May Day walk with their family to Darwen Tower.

Danielle's mum and dad, Shiron and Wayne Harris, of Sarah Street, Darwen, and Emma's mum, Karen Thomas, who lives in Olive Lane, Darwen, started to panic when the children got lost after running ahead.

They alerted police who drafted in the force helicopter to help with the hunt. Police dogs were also used to try and track them down.

Shiron said: "We were frantic when we realised the girls were lost. We walk up to the tower a lot and didn't think anything of letting them run off ahead. They always go so far and then wait.

"Somehow we missed each other on the way back down." The girls asked a passing couple for help when they realised they had lost their way and couldn't get home.

"Danielle and Emma were missing for two hours and we had started to imagine all sorts. If it wasn't for the couple they could have been wandering round for even longer. We can't thank them enough," added Shiron.

"The couple took the girls to Bold Venture Park where we started the walk and by chance they bumped into a family friend who brought them home. We have no idea who they are and would like to thank them in person for what they did."

The distressed cousins were renunited with their parents at about 3pm. They were due to return to school today after the Easter break.

Emma's mum, Karen, said: "It's every parent's worst nightmare. The whole thing really shook us all up. We are grateful to this couple who made sure they were safe."

Anybody with information can ring Mr and Mrs Harris on 01254 762185.