A teenage boy missing from the Sittingbourne area for more than 12 hours has been found - walking along Sheerness high street.

Sittingbourne News Extra reporter Rachel O'Donoghue spotted Josh Horton after reading about his disappearance on KentOnline.

She phoned her colleague after seeing him heading towards the clock tower around at around 9.25am today.

Chief reporter Hayley Robinson who took the call, ran out of the office while still on the phone to Rachel who explained what he was wearing and the direction he was heading in.

When she caught up with him she asked if his name was Josh Horton which he confirmed.

Hayley said: "He was covered in dried mud and he was standing with a woman called Maria. She said she knew his mum and that she was about to call her to let her know he was safe.

"I told him he'd got everyone worried and that there was a missing person appeal out for him. He didn't seem concerned though.

"I asked him where he'd been, as he was covered in mud, and if he was alright. He said he was fine and that he'd been staying at a 'friend's house'.

"I took the details of the woman he was with then returned to the office and called 101 to report that he had been found.

"The operator said they could see him on CCTV and officers were being sent to his location to speak to him and that someone would call his mum to let her know."

Officers issued a missing person's appeal earlier this morning as the 13-year-old had not been seen since 6.15pm yesterday.

The last sighting of him was in North Street, Milton Regis area.

He was last seen wearing a red top, blue jeans and Converse trainers which he was still wearing when he was found.