A MAJOR police operation was sparked after a seven-year-old boy walked out of a Burnley primary school and went missing for several hours.

An investigation was today under way into the incident which happened at Cherry Fold Primary School, Cog Lane.

And it was also revealed staff at the Cog Lane school did not alert police to the incident for an hour and a half.

However the school said it had reached the boy's family straight away and they had expected him to return home.

Officers were called to the school just before 12.10pm yesterday (tues) after the year three pupil walked out of the building at around 10.35am, police said.

Dozens of police officers scoured the town for the boy. Park rangers and community wardens were also drafted in as reinforcements as a massive search was launched.

The immediate area around the school, woodland and water areas between Rossendale Road and Harold Street, sheds, garages and outbuildings as well as town centre shops, amusement arcades and fast food outlets were all searched as part of the emergency operation.

Officers also spoke to the boy's family and friends to find out where he liked to go.

The boy was found safe and uninjured in Scott Park at about 2pm.

A police spokeswoman said officers would talk to the boy to find out why he left school and where he went.

She said: "We received a call at 12.07pm saying the boy had left the school of his own accord.

"A major police search was mounted and the boy was found by park rangers just before 2pm in Scott Park.

"We are delighted he was returned safely."

The school opened 18 months ago replacing Myrtle Bank Nursery and Infant schools, Coal Clough Primary and Hargher Clough Junior schools following a shake-up by Lancashire County Council.

Headteacher Wendy Tracey, who expected the youngster back in school today, said when children went missing they normally ran home and Cherry Fold had a list of names to contact for if a pupil absconded.

The headteacher added she would be talking to parents and would be putting a message on the weekly newsletter this Friday to allay any concerns.

She said: "We have an excellent CCTV system and caught everything on it. The pupil concerned took it upon himself to leave the school.

"We got hold of mum straight away and when she said he had not come home we called the police.

"An investigation has started but we need to speak to the child and his mum upon his return to school.

"It is fairly clear from the CCTV and speaking to staff there is a consistent story.

"From a school point of view there were not any incidents of bullying and the pupil had been in trouble."

Coalclough with Deerplay ward councillor Charles Bullas said: "As a councillor and a parent it's sad when something like this happens.

"If he was picked up on CCTV it seems a long delay and it raises the question of whether security needs to be reviewed."

A spokesman for the Local Education Authority said: "We ae aware of the incident and are working closely with the school to look into the circumstances."