Olly Sheridan: Police searching for three-year-old boy who vanished with mother during custody battle

'Every day has been a battle but I know everyone is doing their best to help find my boy,' says father

Ellie Yarrow-Sanders with her three-year-old son Olly Sheridan, who are both missing. Olly's father Patrick Sheridan has renewed his appeal for information in the hope the pair have visited a Santa Claus. (Patrick Sheridan/PA Wire)

Police are searching for a three-year-old who vanished with his mother during a family court battle.

Olly Sheridan disappeared from Basildon, Essex, with parent Ellie Yarrow-Sanders, 26, in July.

The boy is at the centre of a family court dispute between Ms Yarrow-Sanders and his father. Patrick Sheridan, 45.

The court hearings had been held in private and journalists had been barred from identifying the family, but a High Court judge has lifted the reported restrictions to allow for the police appeal.

Mr Justice Williams, who has overseen a hearing in the case in the Family Division of the High Court, said he was gravely concerned.

He said they could be named and photographs of them published.

Essex Police said they were searching for the pair and a spokesman urged anyone with information to come forward.

Three-year-old Olly Sheridan has gone missing with his mother Ellie Yarrow-Sanders, 26. High Court judge Mr Justice Williams said he was gravely concerned about them and wanted people to raise the alarm immediately if they had any information. (Patrick Sheridan/PA Wire)

Mr Sheridan's law firm Irwin Mitchell said the live police investigation was a “big step forward”.

Olly Sheridan pictured with his father Patrick Sheridan. The three-year-old boy has gone missing with his mother Ellie Yarrow-Sanders, 26. Essex Police are appealing for information. (Patrick Sheridan/PA Wire)

Mr Sheridan said: “I'm so grateful the police are helping to find Olly. Every day has been a battle but I know everyone is doing their best to help find my boy.”

Mr Sheridan urged people to rack their brains and think if they have seen Olly.

He said Olly might have been taken to see Santa and wants members of the public to think if they have seen the youngster in a grotto.

Additional reporting by Press Association