A RELIEVED mum has thanked the community for pulling together to help find her missing son.

Dean Coleman, 22, returned to his home in Kingsdown Walk, Canvey, 36 hours after leaving to go for a walk.

His mum Julie Coleman, 46, admitted she feared the worst when police began searching Canvey lake.

The Essex Police helicopter was also deployed three times in a bid to find Dean, who moved to the island with his family from Dagenham a year ago.

It has now emerged he went to London, and had no battery on his mobile phone to contact his loved ones.

Mrs Coleman said: “Everyone has been so good to me, the police were really fantastic.

“Dean just came walking down the road, so he kind of found himself. He went over to the police and asked them why there were so many of them around, he had no idea he had caused all this fuss.

“He had just wandered off into London, and had no way of contacting me.

“When you see all these people outside your own house looking for your son, it really hits you. You can’t help but think the worst.

“I have never cuddled him so much in all my life.”

As news spread about Dean’s disappearance, which was said to be completely out of character, members of the Canvey Island Then and Now Facebook page teamed up to search the area.

Mrs Coleman admitted she was humbled by the community response.

She added: “There are not enough words to thank everyone for all their support. I’m so grateful for all the help, and amazed at the way the community pulled together.”