A QUICK-thinking hotelier provided the vital lead which ended an extensive search for a missing pregnant woman and her two young sons yesterday afternoon.

As fears grew for the safety of 26-year-old Louisa Vowles, seven-year-old Zach and six-year-old Logan, a Bournemouth hotelier alerted police after recognising them.

An Essex police spokesman said: "A hotelier from Bournemouth contacted his local beat officer, telling him that a woman and two boys, fitting their descriptions, had been staying at his hotel.

"Dorset police responded immediately and all three were found safe and well.

"Arrangements are being made for their return to Essex and to discover what has happened to them since they were last seen on Friday.

"Essex police wish to express our thanks to the public for their assistance in tracing the boys and their mother.

"Louisa Vowles has been detained by Dorset officers and any criminal offences will be investigated."

Essex police, Hampshire Constabulary, Dorset police and the National Crime Squad were all involved in the search.

Ms Vowles, who is on medication for depression, had been seen by her boyfriend Tim Andrews leaving their home in Chignall Smealy, near Chelmsford, at 4pm on Friday.

Essex police released CCTV footage of the last sighting of the mother and her boys taken at The Meadows shopping centre in Chelmsford on Friday following their disappearance and Ms Vowles contacted Mr Andrews, 33, by mobile phone twice on Saturday.

Essex police traced Ms Vowles to Hampshire and Dorset, revealing that she had grown up in Bournemouth and had friends in the resort.

Shortly before they were found, the boys' father Colin Schwingen made an emotional plea for their safe return.