DAD Ian Lomax has been reunited with his son more than 10 years after the youngster, then aged seven, was whisked away by his Greek mother.

Christopher was snatched by his mum, Helen, in 1999 as her husband slept while the family were on holiday in Greece.

Mrs Lomax refused to return the boy and took him to live with her mother in the port of Piraeus, near Athens.

The Greek authorities refused to take action and it led to a long but unsuccessful battle by Mr Lomax in the Greek courts to get permission for Christopher to return home to Bolton.

Mr Lomax quit his court fight after eight years when Christopher was 16 because it was causing the boy too much heartache.

Now Mr Lomax, who has since remarried and has two other children, has been to Greece to see his son for the first time in nearly four years.

And he said Christopher was set to visit him in Britain next Easter.

“He told me he wants to see his younger brother and sister and his family in the UK,” said Mr Lomax.

“We got on very well together. We are very close.

“He has told his mum he wants to come over here and she is fine with it. He is 19 now and can do what he wants.”

Mr Lomax, aged 52, added: “I didn’t visit Christopher for more than three years because I wanted him to have some sort of normal life. There was too much pressure on him.

“He was angry at first, but I think he understands why I didn’t visit him during that time.

“I've not forgiven or forgotten, but I am amicable with Helen now. We have to be for Christopher’s sake.”

Over the last four years, Mr Lomax and his son spoke regularly on the phone and sent each other photographs.

Mr Lomax lives in Great Lever with his second wife, Suzie, and their children, Amy Louise, aged eight, and Adam, aged five.

“He’s seen Amy-Louise but he’s never met his brother Adam,” said Mr Lomax.

He added: “I’m so happy after all the heartache and the fighting in the Greek courts. When he finally comes back to the UK, my dream will have come true.”