Police were today scouring the countryside as fears rose for the safety of a missing nine-year-old boy who may have been trying to find his mum's Basildon home.

Ben Wilson was reported missing on Saturday night after he failed to return to the home he shares with his father and brother in Witham.

Today it emerged that two of his friends were also missing from their home in Witham and it is believed Ben was with his pals, Reece and Drew Hennebry<OK>.

Essex Police sent out specialist search teams, sniffer dogs and their helicopter in a bid to trace the boys.

A police spokeswoman said today: "We now have three young boys missing from home and we have serious concerns for their welfare."

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