Alex, who was 11 when he went missing in 2017, left the UK on 30 September for a holiday in Spain.

He was due to arrive back with his mother and grandfather but never returned.

Police said they've been "alerted regarding a possible sighting" and are in contact with French authorities.

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said: "This is a complex and long-running investigation, and we need to make further enquiries as well as putting appropriate safeguarding measures in place."

Alex is from Oldham and would now be 17.

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