A huge police search for a ten-year-old boy abducted from an amusement arcade ended early today when he was found safe and well.

Police were today questioning a man of 46 after a desperate search involving uniform officers and detectives.

The manhunt began at 6pm yesterday when the boy went missing from an arcade in Waterloo Square, Bognor.

Fears for his safety mounted after CCTV cameras fitted in the arcade were checked.

They captured the boy leaving the arcade with a middle-aged man.

More than 40 officers searched the town, including parks, shops, restaurants and pubs.

The police helicopter was launched and tracker dogs were also drafted in as concern for the boy mounted.

Police say his mother and partner were desperate with worry as the hours passed.

The search ended at 3.30am today when police received a call from a taxi company saying a driver had seen a man matching the description police had issued to local drivers.

A spokesman said: "Police went to Barnham and found the boy and the man close to Barnham railway station."

Today, Detective Inspector Tony O'Donnell said: "The boy's mother and her partner were extremely distraught then intensely relieved he was safe and well."

Mr O'Donnell confirmed the incident was being treated as a "stranger abduction" but added: "These offences are still very rare."

Detectives based at Bognor were today urging people with information to come forward as the man was being questioned.

They want to hear from anyone who may have seen him with the boy.

The man is described as white, 5ft 10in, medium build, wearing a light coloured anorak with dark trousers.

Meanwhile, officers are waiting to gently try to find out what happened during the boy's nine-hour ordeal.

Mr O'Donnell said: "He will be interviewed later by specially-trained officers."