POLICE were today questioning a father who threatened to kill his two young children by driving his tipper truck into the Thames.

The 38-year-old man had taken the children, aged five and eight, from their mother's home and drove them away following what was described as a "domestic incident."

Within minutes police were on his tail after the distraught mum caleld them, saying he had threatened their safety.

She told officers that she feared for the children's lives because their father had said he would drive his truck off Tilbury Docks or Pitsea flyover with the youngsters inside.

Police followed him along the A13, A127 and the A128, where he was travelling at about 40 miles in the middle of the road, which prevented officers from overtaking him.

The force helicopter was also called in to keep track of the man, and at one stage officers considered using "stingers" to blow out the truck's tyres and bring the vehicle to a standstill.

However, they abandoned the idea because they were concerned for the safety of the children should the incident end with the truck crashing.

A police spokesman said the mother had called police at 10.45 pm after the man, who lives in Thurrock, made his threats against the children.