Police are trying to trace a woman after a 17-month-old girl went missing from her back garden in Middlesbrough.

Officers said today that the toddler was playing at her home in Ings Avenue, Brambles Farm, at noon on Tuesday when her mother discovered she had disappeared.

Shortly afterwards, the child was spotted with an Afro-Caribbean woman, who was driving a silver people carrier.

Cleveland Police want to speak to the woman to rule out any suspicious circumstances in the disappearance of the girl, who is back at her home.

Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Sergeant Sarah Robinson on 01642-303126 or Crimestoppers 0800 555 111.