A TEAM of Hampshire police officers were today due to fly to Spain to speak to the parents of Ashya King after he was found and taken to hospital last night.

The youngster was discovered in the back of the family car in Velez, in Malaga, around 9.30pm by local police who recognised and stopped the vehicle.

Inside they found Ashya along with his mum Naghmeh and dad Brett who was last seen wheeling his little boy out of Southampton General Hospital at 2.15pm on Thursday.

Ashya had been a patient there while undergoing treatment for a brain tumour which was recently removed.

He was taken against the wishes of doctors who said he needed specialist care, prompting a major police hunt spanning several European countries to try and find him.

Last night officers got the news they had desperately waited for as Ashya was found and taken to hospital in Malaga. His condition was not known but he was not showing signs of distress.

Meanwhile his parents were arrested on suspicion of neglect, using a European arrest warrant granted earlier yesterday.

Ashya's six brothers and sisters were not in the car with him when it was stopped but were last night safe and well in a hotel, police said.

Southampton General Hospital staff were said to be relieved on hearing the news and were last night liaising with medical counterparts in Malaga to ensure they had all of Ashya's medical history.

It is not yet known when Ashya will return home to Hampshire as it will depend on his medical state.