A DEAF and partially-sighted boy was left wandering the streets after slipping out of his pre-school.

Four-year-old Harry Cowpland, was trying to find his way home from the nursery at Elaine Primary School, Strood, when his mum Trisha Restall found him in the street.

He had been released from the pre-school in Elaine Avenue despite no parent being there to collect him.

He wasn’t spotted as he slipped out of the building during a staff change-over. The pre-school has now changed its policies to make sure there is no repeat.

Trisha, of Laburnum Road, Strood, only saw her son after deciding to walk a different route to the school to save time.

She said: "When I spotted the little boy, I knew it was Harry straight away and my heart sank. If I had walked my usual route, I would never have seen him.

"He could have walked into the road and has little concept of danger and strangers because of his disability. The whole experience was heart-breaking. I haven’t been able to sleep since and it has made me feel quite sick.

"Harry will be going back to the pre-school. I hope none of this will affect his place or happiness there."

A Medway Council spokesman said: "Elaine Primary School is really sorry that Harry was found outside school. The school has explained what happened and apologised to Harry’s mum.

"The confusion occurred at home time when Harry went outside to meet his mum. He was brought back inside but as staff changed the person taking over was distracted by a question from another parent and Harry made his way outside again, which should not have happened.

"The school has since changed its policy so an adult is always by the school door to prevent this happening again. The two school gates are always locked except to allow parents to drop off and collect their children."