POLICE were today searching for an eight-year-old boy who has been missing from home for almost 24 hours.

John William McLeish disappeared from his Blackburn home around 6pm following a family row yesterday and has not been seen since.

He has been staying with foster parents for some time in Wimberley Gardens, Brookhouse.

Police say there have been no sightings of John and they are appealing for anyone who may have seen him to get in touch with them soon as possible.

John has left home in the past but has not disappeared for some time. Police have been calling at the homes of the youngster's friends and have been searching the area.

Inspector Stuart Caley, the man in charge of the search, said: "John is what you would describe as a street wise child. There is some concern for his safety because he could get involved with the wrong sort of person.

"We are appealing for anyone who may have seen John to get in touch with the police station as soon as possible." John is 4ft 4in and has a small build but looks old for his age. He has blond hair, fair complexion and brown eyes.

He was wearing dark track suit bottoms with white lettering on the side, a dark sweat shirt and a green and blue Wallace and Gromit wrist watch.

Anyone with information about John's whereabouts should contact Inspector Caley at Blackburn police station on 01254 51212.

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