A SIX-year-old girl who went missing in Malmesbury was located by a neighbouring police force's helicopter.

Wiltshire Police officers were deployed to the area within 15 minutes of the girl being reported missing on Sunday.

A coordinated search of the area began and the Avon and Somerset Police helicopter was deployed as Wiltshire's had already been tasked elsewhere in the county on a medical emergency.

The incident was also posted on the Malmesbury Police Facebook page, attracting 6,000 views within 45 minutes as well as offers of help from the public.

The child was located safe and well by the helicopter and was returned home by police officers.

Sgt Martin Alvis, of Malmesbury Police, said: "The child had been missing a while and as a parent my heart naturally sank but everything we are tried and tested for sprang into action.

"Thankfully the child was located safe and well. I was touched by the offers of help and felt extremely proud with the resources that our community had at our disposal at a time of great importance."