A THREE-YEAR-OLD girl who disappeared in torrential rain for seven hours was eventually discovered early today sheltering under bushes -- 400 yards from her home.

A massive police search was mounted after Amy Croft went missing at around 9pm last night.

She was discovered by mountain rescue volunteers shortly before 4.30am today.

It is believed Amy opened the front door of her home in Chadworth Crescent, Little Hulton, while some furniture was being delivered by family friend Denise Harper.

Amy's mum, Nicola Wharton, who also has a five-year-old son Matthew, spent several hours driving around the area in her car frantically looking for her.

More than 20 police officers, members of Bolton Mountain Rescue Team and 40 residents scoured the surrounding area trying to find her.

She was eventually discovered asleep by mountain rescue members Alison Yates and Ian Peel sheltering in bushes on the Brackley Municipal Golf Course, off Moorhey Road.

Amy was taken to the Royal Bolton Hospital suffering from the effects of the cold and wet weather. She was still detained in hospital this afternoon where her condition was described as "comfortable".

Geoff Seddon, deputy secretary for Bolton Mountain Rescue, said: "She had only wandered about 400 to 500 yards. For such a young girl, it's a long way. We are so happy we found her alive and well. She was conscious and very happy to be found.

"She was talking to us and more interested in the search dogs."

He added: "It is a natural reaction for someone that young to hide fairly quickly as soon as they realised they were lost and stay there until they were found."

The girl was wearing track suit bottoms, shoes and a coat which protected her from the bad weather when temperatures were just above freezing. A police spokesman said: "She was not hurt but was very cold and wet."

Family friend Denise Harper, aged 48, said: "Amy was curled up asleep when she was found. Her grandfather plays golf and her aunt lives near to where she was found so it is likely that was where she was heading.

"She is one of those children who is always running off. Her mum was frantic with worry. I had taken some table and chairs to the house and Amy must have escaped while the door was open."