Max Bagnall has celebrated his eighth birthday but, for the first time, his dad wasn’t with him to share in his special day.

And for all his father knows, there may not have been anything “special” about it as his son is currently with his mother on the run in Poland.

The young boy has not been seen since March after his mother, Jolanta Majda, took him out of school and fled after a Polish court ruled he should be returned to his father, Alex, who lives in Rochester.

Mr Bagnall has had no contact with his son since last August and the case was raised with former PM David Cameron at Prime Minister’s Questions.

UK police have applied to the Crown Prosecution Service for a European arrest warrant for Ms Majda, after they agreed there was enough evidence to charge the 31-year-old with abduction.

Both the police and the CPS have also been in contact with their Polish counterparts to discuss extraditing her, once she is found.

Max, who turned eight earlier this month, has also been made a ward of court in the UK and, through their Polish solicitor, his family have received a copy of a letter, signed by Ms Majda and hand-delivered by her parents to Max’s school which states he is suffering from a chronic illness and has to stay at home.

They have also written to the Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson and Jonathan Knott, British ambassador to Poland, to ask for their support.

Max’s grandmother Pam McHale Bagnall said: “It’s been a very hard time for Alex as we still do not know where Max is, whether he is safe, or the conditions he is living in.

“Max has spent every birthday except this one in contact with his family who always celebrate the event with him.

“The family are very distressed, and feel let down by the government and authorities in securing his safe return.”

Mrs McHale Bagnall added that the family had received lots of support from members of the #bringmaxback Facebook group, and Rochester and Strood MP Kelly Tolhurst, but that they still face a daily struggle.

“We have felt very alone since September 2015,” she said.

“It’s a daily battle chasing authorities, following up information and keeping the case alive. We are desperately worried about Max’s psychological and physical safety, we believe his mother has not his best interests at heart.

“There is a general ignorance of what protections can be quickly put into force for British children left in this vulnerable position. Max’s case should be at the heart of any negotiations with Poland about Brexit.

“We need Theresa May to put her foot down with her colleagues and the Polish government to insist Max is found and returned forthwith.”

DS Simon Grant, of Kent Police, said: “We have worked closely with Max’s family as well as international partners with a view to locating and safeguarding Max. We are actively working towards reuniting Max with his family in the UK as directed by the courts in both the UK and Poland.”

If you can help contact police on 01622 690690 quoting crime reference XY/30448/15