A major police search launched today after a boy was seen walking alone at night in his pyjamas has been scaled down.

The operation started at 1.30am after officers got a call from a man who had just driven past the Vigo Inn.

He reported seeing a young boy, aged five or six years old, wearing Spiderman pyjamas, standing on the corner of the road by the Vigo Inn in Gravesend Road.

Following the call, specialist police teams were called in and a search of the area began.

House-to-house calls were made to see if anyone had any information about the child.

And local schools were contacted to establish if any child matching the description was absent from school.

But so far no child has been found and no-one has reported a child missing.

Chief Inspector Jon Kirby said: "A call reporting an unaccompanied child standing at the side of the road in a very rural location in the early hours of a freezing cold morning will be taken very seriously.

"Our search teams have covered the ground in the area where the child was sighted.

"We haven't received any missing person reports of a child matching the description nor have neighbouring forces.

"We've spoken to local schools about who is absent today and we've asked parents in the area if they can account for the whereabouts of their children.

"We've spoken in detail to the person who reported the sighting. At this time the incident remains unexplained.

"We are now reducing the number of officers we have in the area. Neighbourhood officers will be available in the area to answer questions from local residents as schools close for the day."

CI Kirby added: "I am hugely grateful to the local community who have been very understanding and appreciative of the police presence in the area."

Police would still like to hear from anyone who has any information or from drivers who were on the A227 in the Vigo area in the early hours of this morning.

Anyone with information should call Kent Police on 01622 690 690.