Emergency services and members of the public are searching for a three-year-old boy who went missing at a playground.

Noah Woods was with a relative at the small park at Merriam Close in Brantham, but “became separated” from them as they left at about 15:00 BST, Suffolk Police said.

The toddler, who is partially deaf, autistic and non-verbal, was reported to have run down a nearby alleyway towards a newbuild housing estate.

“We ask local residents to please check their outbuildings, gardens and sheds, and report any sightings to police on 999,” Supt Pete Partridge said.

A helicopter has been pictured flying over the scene, which is near the estuary of the River Stour and close to the Essex border.

Police described Noah as white, with curly ginger hair, and said he would not respond to his name being called.

In a statements released overnight, police said efforts to find him were still ongoing.

“We are grateful for the support from the public, however ask people not to undertake independent searches overnight. It’s important that any public searches are coordinated with police.”

Passengers on trains between Manningtree and Ipswich have been told their services must run at a reduced speed due to the searches.

Rescue teams have been carrying out door-to-door inquiries in the area.

“We have deployed specially trained officers to assist with our search of the area today, including helicopters and drones,” Partridge said.

He said Noah was wearing a white Bluey T-shirt, shorts and black Vans trainers with a white stripe.

BBC reporter Zoie O’Brien, who was at the scene, said more than 100 people joined the searches on Tuesday evening.

She said the helicopter appeared to be circling above fields and a wooded area behind the housing estate.

Posting on its Facebook page, Suffolk Police said: “It is overwhelming to read the support people are offering.”

A spokesperson for HM Coastguard said: “We are assisting Suffolk Constabulary with an incident at Brantham by sending an HM Coastguard helicopter and Coastguard Rescue Teams from Felixstowe and Holbrook.”

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