HOPES of finding an eight-year-old boy who was swept away after falling into a fast-flowing river were last night fading.

Rescue teams and dozens of residents have spent four days tirelessly searching for Ian Thomas Bell.

The youngster was playing with friends on the bank of the River Wear at Sunnybrow, near Willington, County Durham, at about 7pm on Friday when he fell in.

The search was expected to resume at first light this morning, but last night Chief Inspector Graham Milne, of Durham Police, warned the chances of finding him alive were decreasing.

“This has been a huge community effort, we have been overwhelmed by the support of local people who have turned out in force to help find Ian,” he said.

“Sadly, as this is the fourth day of the search, we think the likelihood of finding Ian alive is fading. Ian’s family are aware of this, and we’re keeping them updated with any developments.”

A specialist search team from Derbyshire spent yesterday combing the river using underwater cameras in the hope of finding Ian.

The rescue operation, which still involves police divers, a marine team from Durham Fire and Rescue Service and volunteers from Teesdale and Weardale Search and Rescue Team, now stretches ten miles to Chester-le-Street.

The youngster’s devastated family have been checking the river bank, together with members of the local community, since Ian’s disappearance.

The close-knit community is said to be shock following the weekend’s events but is offering support to those who need it.

Michael Gardener, headteacher at Sunnybrow Primary School, where Ian is a pupil, said: “This is obviously an extremely upsetting time and our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of a much loved little boy.

“Sunnybrow is a small and extremely close-knit school community and everyone is desperately sad. We will support everyone affected in any way we can.”

Chief Insp Milne thanked people for their help but urged them not to put themselves at risk.

“It is very dangerous,” he added. “I have had 18-stone men washed off their feet.

The support has been absolutely fantastic but if people could take a step back and do a visual search of the bank, that would really help and it stops putting themselves in jeopardy.”