A school is reviewing its security policy after a four-year-old boy went missing on his first day there.

Joanne Bastone's son, Jake, left Burnham Primary School and turned up half-an-hour later at her work place.

After just an hour he had decided he missed his mum.

He walked out the school gates in Dunkirk Road, crossing several busy roads, and trekked all the way to Dengie Sports Centre nearly a mile away.

Mrs Bastone said: "I don't quite know how he got there. He had to cross main roads. It's quite amazing."

Mike Barnett, education spokesman for Essex County Council, confirmed the incident. He said: "The child went home but he was found and returned safe and sound. It was an isolated incident, but the school is now reviewing its security policy with regards to its procedures."

Published Thursday, May 29, 2003

Brought to you by the Evening Gazette