A FATHER who went missing with his two young daughters has been arrested after a nationwide police hunt.

Peter Elgey, 47, was arrested in Helmsley, North Yorkshire - 58 miles from his home in County Durham - after he was found in a phone box with a knife.

His daughters, aged 13 and 16, were found safe and well nearby.

Durham Police issued an urgent appeal for help to find Mr Elgey after he vanished this morning with his children from their home in Spennymoor, taking kitchen knives and a spade with him.