Cruelty charge on cards

A woman who locked two children out of their Hamilton home while she went off to the pub could face cruelty charges.

The 2-year-old naked girl and 10-year-old boy were found wandering about 9.30pm on Saturday. Police said the girl's 31-year-old mother locked them out because she wanted to go into town.

She told them to find their way to the home of an uncle. The pair could not find the uncle's house.

They eventually knocked on the door of a house and asked for a ride. The shocked residents took them inside and called police.