An inquiry into security at a North Tyneside school will be held after four primary schoolchildren wandered off from their playground.

Education officials will look again at arrangements at Percy Main Primary School, in North Shields, after the quartet went missing.

The youngsters, one aged four, sparked a hunt which involved the North East police helicopter.

They were found half an hour later, playing near a pond, by two patrolling constables.

Parents alerted

Staff had alerted police, who also called in patrol cars as well as asking CCTV monitors to train their cameras onto the surrounding area.

Security staff at a nearby shopping centre were kept informed, after the children disappeared during playtime on Tuesday morning.

Obviously children that young may not have been aware of the dangers that they faced, not least from traffic

Northumbria Police spokesman

Headteacher Mark Harrison said: "As soon as the children were found to have absconded, we carried out all set procedures.

"The police were kept informed, the parents were alerted and other agencies were also informed.

"We're grateful to the police for finding them so quickly and returning them safely.

"We will be reviewing our procedures with the local education authority and if necessary changes will be made."

A Northumbria Police spokesman said: "Obviously children that young may not have been aware of the dangers that they faced, not least from traffic."