A toddler who disappeared from an activity centre has prompted a police investigation.

The two-year-old went missing for 30 minutes before turning up back at the centre, crying.

Detectives think either she somehow escaped through three security doors to the street or she was taken.

The drama unfolded at Westows Play and Football Centre in School Road, Hove, yesterday between 11.30am and noon.

Detective Inspector Jane Tilzey, heading the inquiry, said: "Witnesses have told us they saw the little girl outside with four women during the time she was gone.

"We need to trace these women to find out what happened."

Police think the girl may have been picked up by mistake by someone believing it was their friend's daughter.

When they realised the mistake they took her back inside.

The girl, with shoulder-length blonde hair, was wearing a white, long-sleeved Next T-shirt, denim skirt and pink tights.

She had no shoes on at the time she was missing and her feet were dry when she was found, suggesting she had been carried.

Miss Tilzey said: "One witness heard one of the women ask the child where her mummy was."

The child suddenly turned up back inside the centre and was picked up by her worried mother.

Miss Tilzey said: "The girl was very distressed. Her mother was extremely relieved."

David Willis, Westows managing director, said: "The little girl would have had to get through three doors to get out. It would have needed a Houdini trick for her to reach the street.

"I think it is possible she left with other children and their mums, who realised they had an extra child with them and popped her back in."

Mr Willis said security at the centre was tight. No adult is allowed in without a child and no child is let out without an adult.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Miss Tilzey at Hove police station on 0845 6070999.