POLICE were last night becoming very concerned for the welfare of a 15-year-old boy last seen on Thursday.

A police spokesman said Cleveland and Durham Police were looking for Seaham teenager Shaun Bate, who went missing from West Lane Hospital, in Middlesbrough, on Wednesday.

It is believed he made his way back to Seaham, east Durham, where there have been sightings of him.

Shaun is 5ft 5in, of slim build with short dark hair. He was last seen wearing a cream-coloured Nike beany hat, a Nike hooded top, blue Adidas tracksuit bottoms and white Reebok training shoes.

Meanwhile, another 15-year-old boy was found safe and well yesterday after being missing from his home in Dipton, County Durham, since noon on Friday.

A search party of about 20 police officers conducted house-to-house inquiries and scoured fields surrounding the village, after the disappearance of Shaun Michael Stuart.

Shaun, who had no money, food, or change of clothes when he went missing, was found safe and well in the Newton Aycliffe area.

Anyone with information about Shaun Bate has been asked to call (01642) 303126 or 0191-386 4929.