THE Burnley aunt of missing youngster Daniel Entwistle today spoke of the family's fear for the youngster and said: "We just want him home."

Cath Entwistle, 40, of Bevington Close, Burnley, said the whole family were living in limbo waiting for news of Daniel, who disappeared more than a week ago while playing near the river Yare in Great Yarmouth.

The youngster, who was born in Burnley, moved to Norfolk three years ago with parents David, 41, and Paula, 30, after growing up in Peel Street, Padiham.

Cath, who has a daughter Katie, 15, said: "It is just like being in limbo at the moment because nobody seems to know anything. All we want is to know what has happened and to have Daniel back safe and well with his mum and dad.

"Everyone is really stressed out and we just have to take it day by day and minute by minute and hopefully the call will come to say he has been found safe and well. I have been speaking to Daniel's dad and he and Paula are just frantic with worry, they can't sleep or eat. All they want is to know what has happened to their little boy.

"We are all hoping and praying that it won't be too long before he is home."

Daniel's parents delivered leaflets appealing for information to houses near the spot where their son was thought to have played shortly before disappearing.

Daniel vanished shortly after leaving his home in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, at about 5pm on Saturday May 3.

A bicycle thought to belong to the youngster was found near the raised bank of the tidal river Yare, less than a mile from the little boy's home.

Police fear the youngster might have fallen about 15ft into the river while playing on the bank, but they have not ruled out the possibility that he was abducted.

Mr and Mrs Entwistle today helped police deliver 5,000 leaflets - showing a picture of Daniel and the red bicycle found near the river - to houses in the area where Daniel lives, along with children from a local youth group.

Pensioner Joe Zugor on Friday told police he had seen Daniel playing by the riverbank a few hours before he vanished.

Searches of the Yare and nearby coastal areas have failed to reveal any trace of the youngster.