Most children are keen on sweets, but Max McGrath went the extra mile to fulfil his late-night craving. More accurately, he walked a mile and a half to his local supermarket at 3am while his oblivious parents were asleep in bed.

Still wearing his pyjamas and armed with a front door key and some cash, the three-year-old put on his older brother’s shoes – which were two sizes too big - before setting off on his quest.

His family knew nothing of the adventure until he was returned an hour later to his home by a newspaper delivery driver who discovered him gazing through the window of the closed Somerfield store.

Max had left the front door open at his home in Longridge, Preston.

“I approached him and he told me in a very matter-of-fact way that he was going to the shop,” said James Brown, 23, who spotted the toddler and went to investigate.

“He told me that his family were at home asleep.”

The Lancashire Telegraph delivery driver took Max straight back to his home, but had to contact the police when he was unable to wake his parents. The police let themselves in and woke Max’s startled parents.

“I have a child about the same age and it is terrifying to think what an adventurous youngster can get up to,” Mr Brown said. “He was fine, but it must have been such a shock for his family.”

Max’s mother was indeed taken aback by her son’s intrepid endeavours when she was woken by police. “Max is a very adventurous boy, but it is a complete surprise that he would do something like this,” Amy McGrath said.

“It is terrifying to think what might have happened because he must have crossed several roads. Anyone could have found him, but I am very grateful that Mr Brown did what he did and brought him home safely to us.

“I’m still shaking from shock after all this. I would like to thank Mr Brown from the bottom of my heart.”

A police spokesman confirmed that officers were called to reports that a young boy had been found on his own. “It would appear that he had let himself out and was wearing just a pair of his brother’s shoes and he had a little money that he had taken from the house.”

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