A teenager from Eastbourne who went missing from home has been found in Hastings, Australia.

Christopher Ballintyne, 17, triggered a major police search after his luggage, passport, mobile phone and wallet were discovered at the side of a dirt track last week.

The teenager had not told relatives he was going to Australia but arrived in the country last Tuesday night.

He went straight to where he used to live in Somerville, Melbourne, and at 3am woke up the new owners of the house.

The following morning his belongings were discovered, abandoned at the side of the road.

Roadblocks were set up and drivers quizzed over the disappearance of the boy, who was known to be missing his former home after moving to England five years ago.

Yesterday, Christopher called police in Hastings, Melbourne, to let them know he was safe.

Sergeant Bernie McGee said Christopher had apologised for the worry he had caused and said he had been staying with a friend.

Three-and-a-half hours later he was safely reunited with relatives and let his family in Eastbourne know he was fine.