Police investigating the disappearance of two young children have arrested three people in connection with the incident.

On Wednesday police issued an appeal to help find the two children, aged 16 months and four-years-old after they were reported missing from a house in Nelson.

A 31-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of child abduction, and a 41-year-old man and a 37-year-old woman were arrested on suspicion of child neglect.

They were later released with no further action.

The children were believed to be with their mother and a man who was known to them when they went missing.

At the time of the appeal release they had been missing for more than three days and officers were growing concerned for the girls' welfare.

Later that day the children were found safe and well.

The police have now issued another statement in regards to the incident and said: "A 31-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of child abduction, and a 41-year-old man and a 37-year-old woman were arrested on suspicion of child neglect.

"All have been released with no further action."