Hunt in River Wear for missing boy, eight

An eight-year-old boy is missing after falling into the River Wear in County Durham.

He was playing with friends in Crook, near Willington, when he fell into the river at about 19:00 BST.

A police spokesman said the boy, from Sunny Brow, is believed to have fallen from an embankment close to the Brown Trout pub.

The RAF and search and rescue teams have joined Durham Police and the fire brigade in the hunt for the child.

The spokesman added: "An extensive search of the river is currently in progress, with assistance from the fire brigade.

"Teesside Search and Rescue are also providing assistance, along with the police North East Air Support Unit."

A fire service spokeswoman said: "We received a call to Prospect Place, at Sunny Brow, Crook.

"This was one eight-year-old boy, from Sunny Brow, believed to have been in the river.

"The RAF and Teesdale and Weardale mountain team are continuing the search during the evening hours."