The child was carrying car keys and was found by a woman who said she felt "sick to the pit of her stomach" at what could have happened to him.

       Police have confirmed they received a worried call by a member of the public in the early hours of this morning and attended to find the boy - who was in possession of a set of car keys.

       Nikola James later posted a message on social media saying that she had been out visiting a friend and was heading home, but instead of taking her normal route, chose to drive down St Levan Road, Plymouth Live reports.

       Exclaiming that she was a "believer that everything in life happens for a reason" Nikola wrote how she normally would not drive along that road, but was pleased she did, having encountered the six-year-old in the street.

       She wrote how she called police who "now have him safe and warm", adding "the possibilities of what could have happened make me sick to the pit of my stomach.

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       "An all too real life experience of how easy it is for tragedy to happen."

       Devon and Cornwall Police have said they were able to trace the boy's parents and took him to his nearby home where his parents were still unaware of his disappearance.

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       A police spokesperson added that it was believed the boy had been able to exit his address via the front door, but not before retrieving a set of car keys which he was found in possession of.