A POLICE hunt has been launched for a "vulnerable" 12-year-old boy who has not been seen since he disappeared from a children's home in Rossendale three days ago.

Police fear for the safety of Ashley Roche, who they believe could have slept rough despite bitterly cold weather over the weekend.

Ashley was last seen at 1pm on Friday leaving the Crestmore Resource and Reception Centre where he had been staying in Haslingden Old Road, Rawtenstall. He did not tell anyone where he was going.

Police are searching for Ashley in Rossendale and the Burnley area and want residents to check their garages or outhouses for signs of anyone sleeping rough.

They have visited one house in Burnley three times to see if Ashley has gone to visit friends there.

It was thought Ashley might have turned up at a children's disco at the Arena nightclub, Burnley, on Friday night but when he failed to return to the home yesterday, police launched a public appeal to find him.

PC Graham Phillips, of Rawtenstall police, said: "The staff at the home have described Ashley as vulnerable and they are concerned because he has never done anything like this before.

"It has been an extremely cold weekend and if he has been outdoors there will be a great risk to his health."

The boy's mother Julie, who lives in Skelmersdale with Ashley's father, has appealed for Ashley to return to the home, and urged anyone with information to contact the police.

Ashley is 5ft 1in, with short dark blond hair.

He has blue eyes and a fair complexion.

When he left the home he was wearing a navy blue jacket, dark jeans and black shoes.

Anyone who has seen Ashley, or has any information, should call Rawtenstall police on 01706 215242.

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