TWO major police searches for missing people were underway as the Review went to press on Tuesday afternoon.

The police helicopter made two sweeps of the Christchurch area after a nine-year-old boy was reported missing near cabins in Bracelands Drive around Tuesday lunchtime, and police and PCSOs from across the Forest joined in the hunt. The boy's parents and local people also helped, said a police spokesman.

Happily, at around 5.30pm, the youngster was found safe and well after losing his way through trees. He was later reunited with his parents.

The other search was for a young man who fell from the new Wye Bridge in Chepstow after a night out in the town. Rikki Baldwin, 24, comes from Sedbury.

The police helicopter was employed with thermal imaging equipment while searchers combed the banks of the river. Firefighters from Lydney joined other emergency workers from Gloucestershire and South wales as well as the Severn Area Rescue Association (SARA).

A command centre was established at SARA's Beachley station after a call to the emergency services at around 12.50am on Monday morning. A boat search was launched but suspended after 3.15am because of a rapidly falling tide.

The hunt has been scaled back since then but anyone with information that may help with Mr Baldwin's movements is asked to call police on 101 quoting incident 29 of April 9.

The alarm was raised over the boy missing in woods at Christchurch after he was lost from sight just before noon on Tuesday. Earlier he had been seen playing with three girls near cabins at Bracelands Drive.

•A Forest man who police reported as missing has returned home safe and well.

Paul Bowers, 47, from Edge End, near Coleford, was reported missing from his home address on Friday, March 23.

He returned to a family address in Coleford at about 3pm on Monday.

Officers say they would like to thank everyone involved in the search for Paul.