The family of a Rochester boy who has been taken on the run by his mother in Poland have seen a letter from his Polish school, which says he is away from class due to illness.

Seven-year-old Max Bagnall’s mother Jolanta Majda fled when a Polish court ruled he should be returned to his father Alex in the UK.

Mr Bagnall has not had any contact with his son since last August and the case has been raised with Prime Minister David Cameron.

Through his Polish solicitor, Max’s grandfather Andy Bagnall has received a copy of a letter, signed by Ms Majda and hand-delivered by her parents to Max’s school.

It says Max is suffering from a chronic illness and has to stay at home.

Mr Bagnall said: “We are exhausted by the whole situation and cannot believe the UK government will not take immediate action now we have provided clear evidence that Max’s welfare and safety are at risk.

“We are still waiting a reply as we always seem to be. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the International Child Abduction and Contact Unit will neither take responsibility, each referring me to the other.

Earlier this month, UK police applied to the Crown Prosecution Service for a European arrest warrant for Ms Majda, after they agreed there was enough evidence to charge her with abduction.

A Foreign and Commonwealth Office spokesman said: “We recognise the enormous and continued distress faced by Mr Bagnall.

"We have been providing advice and support to him and will remain in close contact with Polish authorities about this case.”