Three-year-old Max McGrath managed to open the double-locked front door and sneak out on his own, wearing just his pyjamas and his older brother's shoes - two sizes too big. The daring youngster was spotted peering hopefully through a supermarket window by van driver James Brown.

James, 23, said: "I approached him and asked what he was doing out so late. He told me in a very matter-of-fact way that his family were at home asleep and he was going to the shop." James asked Max where he lived and drove him home. But he could not wake his parents so called the police, who gained entry to the house in Preston.

Relieved mum Amy, 30, said: "The first my partner and I knew about it was being woken by a policeman at the bottom of the bed, which was a real shock.  They said they had found my son but I had no idea he had gone anywhere. I'm still shaking from the shock. He's very adventurous but it's a complete surprise he would do something like this. I didn't hear a thing when he left and it's terrifying to think what might have happened because he must have crossed several roads. When we asked why he went out, he said he wanted sweets. But in any case he didn't have any money on him."

She has now vowed to keep the door keys out of Max's reach.

And, dare I say it, not to get so drunk that they can't be woken by a policeman smashing the front door in?

Max decided to take full advantage of the situation.

The original was here.