THREE children who went missing with their mother and grandmother were found by detectives yesterday after the launch of a nationwide hunt.

Police were expected to speak with Darren, six, and Leonie Gray, five, and their three-year-old sister, Sophie Stead-Gray, last night.

The three children, who live in Hartlepool, were travelling to Northern Ireland with their mother, Cheryl Gray, 23, and maternal grandmother, Patricia Lodge.

A spokesman for Cleveland Police said the children's custody status had been clarified yesterday afternoon and that officers were happy that no criminal offence had been committed.

He said: "We have now received information that the youngsters, together with their mother and maternal grandmother, are heading to Northern Ireland.

"Questions over who has custody and access to the youngsters have now been fully checked and clarified by legal experts.

"We are now happy that no criminal offence has been committed.

"The family will be met and welfare checks will be carried out. We are happy the situation has been resolved and we will be taking no further action."

The children were reported missing from their Hartlepool home by their paternal grandparents at 9pm on Wednesday.

They were being cared for by their grandparents at their home in Acclom Street.

Their father last saw the two elder children when he dropped them off at Eldon Grove School on Wednesday morning.

Arrangements had been made for Mrs Lodge, 44, to collect Sophie from the house and go with her brother and sister to a party.

Police launched the search when it was revealed that the children had not gone to the party.

Air and sea ports were alerted throughout the country, but the search was called off shortly before 2pm yesterday.

Earlier the children's father, who is in his 20s, had waited with his parents for news, saying: "I just hope they come back soon."

The headteacher of Eldon Grove Primary School, Andrew Rees, confirmed the two elder children had been collected by their grandmother.

He said: "It certainly did not appear there was anything untoward.