Police have thanked people for their help in looking for six-year-old Lucas Dobson, but asked for them to stop.

Hundreds of volunteers have turned up to help find the schoolboy from Deal since he fell into the River Stour in Sandwich on Saturday.

They also attended vigils across the coastline last night, which were lead by his family.

Volunteers searching for a missing schoolboy from Sandwich who fell into the river on a family fishing trip have not given up hope

As the search moves in to its fourth day, Kent Police are concentrating their efforts to the river and asked people to stay away.

Chief Inspector Mark Weller of Kent Police said: "We have seen an incredible amount of support from volunteers within the local community and from further afield. As such, we have been able to search a wide space in such a short period of time. This has ruled out several areas and therefore our attention turns exclusively to the river.

"I speak on behalf of all the emergency services when I say thank you for the help we have received – the efforts and compassion of volunteers has been heart-warming and their value and help cannot be overstated.

"However, we are now at a stage where the river is our sole focus, given the time that has passed since Lucas disappeared.

"I don’t think the dangers of the water have been lost on anybody since the weekend and as difficult as it is for us to ask, we are requesting people stay away from physically helping us search the river. This is for their own safety as well as that of emergency service workers in the area.

"Experts from across all the emergency services including Kent Fire and Rescue Service, HM Coastguard and Kent Search and Rescue continue to use specialist equipment in order to locate Lucas. This includes sonar detectors, underwater cameras, divers, dogs and drones.

"Once again, I thank everyone for their hard work and our thoughts are with Lucas’ family at this time."

Kent Fire and Rescue service has confirmed Sandwich fire station will stay open as a hub for the community.

Lucas' aunt Maciee Stanford has shared her heartfelt message to the little boy and thanked everyone for their help.

The community has rallied to support the family over last few days since Lucas fell in while fishing.

Read more: All the latest news from Deal

Read more: All the latest news from Sandwich