A POLICE helicopter joined a desperate search for a missing boy.

The alarm was raised after the boy was seen heading towards woodlands in Lindfield, near Haywards Heath.

He was barefoot and wearing red pyjamas, and the public weradvised to call 999 immediately if he was seen.

The helicopter was scrambled to the scene and police confirmed there were "significant resources" involved, including an Inspector in charge of the search.

The first alert was made shortly before 2.30pm. The boy was then found shortly after 4.20pm.

Earlier, officers said: "We are aware that a young lad is missing. We have quite a lot of resources looking into it.

"We currently have the assistance of air support out there looking as well.

"The report is of a young lad, aged approximately 12, who was seen in his pyjamas going towards woodlands in Lindfield.

"This is a fast-moving investigation, we are trying to locate him."