THIS is the mum and dad of a gravely ill little boy who are today being hunted by police for fleeing the country with their child.

Brett and Naghemeh King boarded a cross-channel ferry yesterday with five-year-old son Ashya, who suffers from a brain tumour, and his six siblings.

Mr King, 51, was seen wheeling his son out of Southampton General Hospital at 2pm before catching the Portsmouth to Cherbourg ferry at 4pm.

Ashya was taken against hospital wishes and his disappearance has sparked an international search by police, who fear his life is at risk without 24-hour care.

Mr and Mrs King, 45, and family live in St David's Road, Southsea.

The family is believed to be travelling in France in a grey Hyundai I800 Style CRDI with the registration KP60 HWK.

Anyone with information which may help locate Ashya King should contact Hampshire Constabulary as soon as possible on 101 quoting Operation Aquilion.