LUCK was on two-year-old Scott Svejnoha's side after he escaped from playgroup and was spotted wandering through Austwick in the middle of the road.

Scott left his fellow pre-schoolers behind while they were playing games outside.

He was seen by Jean Clarke, who was gardening at her home. Realising he was alone she set off after him.

Meanwhile, Scott's father, Phillip, was at the Gamecock where his wife, Alison, was working. The couple chatted to landlord and landlady, Richard and Trish Lord, when the publican's eagle-eyed four year old son, Bretton, said he could see Scott walking up the middle of the road.

Alison and Phillip thought Bretton was teasing them as they knew their son was at playgroup, based in the primary school.

But when Phillip set off to collect his son, he heard Mrs Clarke say "your dad's there" and he turned to see her standing outside his house. He was shocked to find Scott on the doorstep.

While Scott is none the worse for his amble, his parents, who moved to the village a year ago, are warning all parents and groups to be aware how fast children can disappear.

Alison said: "I was really upset about it. They were playing outside as it was a lovely day and we think he must just have wandered out of a gate.

"Everyone was very sorry about it and promised it would never, ever happen again. They had all had a panic but luckily Scott made his way home and he was safe.

"Scott is such a little love. I know that you have to have eyes in the back of your head with children.

"We understand that but we want to remind playgroups and parents how quickly kids can move. The people at playgroup would have been devastated had anything happened.

"If Scott goes to the garden we are always watching him. There are so many parked cars on the street, it's a bit of a deathtrap to children.

"We are really grateful to Jean - she might have saved his life. Bretton is also a hero for telling us."

Phillip added: "All I can think is Scott could have ended up in the local cemetery. Drivers wouldn't have been able to see him as he crossed between parked cars."

Mrs Sue Park, playgroup leader, told the Herald she felt the issue had been dealt with when it occurred and declined to comment further.