A YORK schoolboy who sparked a police search when he failed to return home on Saturday night was today safely back with his family.

Sean Tones, 11, from Chestnut Grove, Acomb, was missing for more than 12 hours and police became increasingly concerned for his safety.

An extensive search involving officers and dogs was launched on Saturday night after Sean left St Stephen's churchyard in Acomb at 8.15pm and told a friend he was on his way home.

When he failed to arrive his frantic parents called the police.

However, the youngster turned up at about 9am on Sunday morning unharmed.

His relieved mother, Tracey, said she sent him straight to bed to catch up on his sleep and was hoping to speak to him about the incident.

A police spokesman said he was just glad that the situation had been resolved.

He said: "Police carried out extensive searches through the night with the use of dogs and personnel.

"But at about 9am we received a call from the boy's parents saying he had turned up at the house safe and well."

Updated: 10:41 Monday, January 21, 2002