A MISSING teenager was taken to hospital after the police helicopter and dogs were called out to find him.

Officers searched Southend in the early hours of Friday morning following reports the 17-year-old had gone missing from his home in Ditton Court, Westcliff, after he was reported missing at 2.40am.

After officers, the police helicopter and a dog unit were deploiyed, he was found just after 5am by PC Tony Mayo and his dog, both using their local knowledge to speculate as to where he might be and locate him.

As he was unwell when he was found, he was taken to Southend Hospital, and is said to be recovering.