A DELIGHTED dad has thanked Journal readers for helping him win his transatlantic custody battle for his four-year-old son.

Stephen Bell, of Richmond Drive, Leigh, has been fighting to bring his only child Charlie home from Illinois in America since 2014.

Charlie was originally living with his mum in the States but he was forced to move in with her parents following a serious incident, Stephen claims.

The 34-year-old is relieved to finally have Charlie home with him after an appeal launched by the Journal helped to raise the money he needed to have his day in court.

It amassed more than £5,000, with Stephen's family raising a further £10,000 towards the Kane County court costs.

The family division of the court ruled that Charlie should live with Stephen in Leigh but the boy's American mum retained access rights and is entitled to have him stay with her in the States during the Easter, summer and Christmas holidays.

Stephen said: "I am so happy and relieved to have Charlie home.

"I am exceptionally grateful to the Journal and all those who donated money for helping to make this happen.

"Without their help I would not have stood a chance.

"When I got over to America the court order had changed.

"It was going to be too expensive to fight it any further so basically I had to settle for a draw.

"It means I will have to return him over there every Easter, summer and Christmas, but he will be with me at all other times and go to school here."

Following the court ruling in December Charlie arrived back on English soil on January 7.

Stephen bought their home in Leigh for the family to live in prior to the break-up of his marriage to Charlie's mum.

They met in London, got married and moved to America when she was pregnant with Charlie, but they planned to return to the UK to live.

Stephen said: "It has been a horrible and emotional rollercoaster but it has a happy ending and Charlie is finally able to live with me."