A POLICE helicopter was called to help search for two children who got lost walking in woods.

Two girls aged ten and six were reported missing at about 1pm yesterday after they became separated from their parents as they walked through Sunnyhurst Woods, Darwen.

The parents called police when they could not find the girls, and dog patrols and the Lancashire Constabulary helicopter were called to look for them.

Inspector Steve Sansbury said the helicopter broadcast an appeal by loudspeaker to enlist the help of the public in searching for them.

Another family found the children in a distressed state and took them to the home of one of the girls' relatives, where they were reunited with their parents at about 3pm.

Bolton Mountain Rescue team also volunteered to search for the girls, but the children turned up before the volunteers were deployed.

At about 2.40pm, a five-year-old girl and six-year-old boy were also reported missing, but also turned up safe and well within ten minutes.