THE overjoyed parents of youngster Martin Duguid spoke of their relief today as they prepared to welcome the youngster home.

The family of 12-year-old Blackburn schoolboy were planning a double celebration to mark Martin's return after an agonising week as Lancashire police announced an inquiry into his disappearance.

"We know questions have to be answered," said a police spokesman.

A party was being thrown at the Duguid family home in Dalton Close, Audley, Blackburn, on the same day Martin's father David celebrated his birthday.

Meanwhile Home Secretary and Blackburn MP Jack Straw expressed his relief at Martin's discovery and promised that any lessons learned from investigations into the case will be taken nationwide.

David spoke to his son last night and revealed that the Queen's Park High School pupil is desperate to come home and be reunited with his family.

Martin went missing last Tuesday following a row with his parents and he was last spotted in the company of James Warke, a registered sex offender.

Martin was found by police in the south coast resort Worthing yesterday and a 36-year-old man was arrested by police.

A member of the public alerted the police after she spotted Martin and a man sleeping rough in a seafront shelter at the resort.

David Duguid, 43, said: "I spoke to Martin several times yesterday and he said he is fine and well. "This has been a hell of a week for us and we are just glad Martin is coming back to us, at one stage things looked very bad.

"It has been a bit of an emotional roller coaster for the family but we are just over the moon that Martin is coming home."

Martin was being interviewed by police in Sussex last night and was set to come home this afternoon. He will also be interviewed by specially trained family liaison officers in Lancashire.

Mr Duguid added: "Martin was a bit upset but apart from that he seems fine. We are planning to have a party when he gets home.

"We couldn't have hoped or dreamed of a better outcome than this."

Martin's friends and teachers at Queen's Park High School were given the good news over the school's intercom system yesterday.

Headteacher Vicki Devonport said: "We are incredibly relieved. It has been a long week for the family, members of staff and the pupils. We are just delighted that he is okay. "We put a message out as soon as we heard. We don't often interrupt lessons but we felt that the news couldn't wait."

A spokesman for Lancashire police said: "We will not be shirking or ducking any issues and there will be a full inquiry into the circumstances surrounding Martin's disappearance.

"We know questions have to be answered but our major concern over the last few days has been the welfare of Martin Duguid."

Mr Straw told the Evening Telegraph: "I am pleased and relieved at the news that Martin Duguid has been found safe and well. The local agencies will be checking to see whether all the relevant procedures were adhered to in this case.

"If there are any wider lessons to be learned, I will, of course, consider them as Home Secretary."

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