Red tape could deny a dream holiday to a young boy mourning the death of his mother.

Kind-hearted Brenda Watts, of Drake Gardens, Braintree, gave a home to Craig Jamnitzky, 12, following the death of his mother, Sharon Wilson, 36, in a car crash in December.

Until Craig's future is decided by social services, he has been staying with Mrs Watts, her husband Trevor and 13 year-old-son Adam.

Last year the Watts family booked a holiday to California for March, and soon after he came to live with them, they decided Craig should come on their dream holiday.

In order to be able to enter the United States, Craig needs a full passport and to get a passport he needs the signature of his legal guardian.

Since his mother died, Craig's legal guardian is his father, Adam Tomlinson. Craig does not see his father often and Mrs Watts said she has been unable to trace him, only knowing he lives somewhere in the north of England.

Without his father's signature, Craig cannot get a passport and will not be going to California.

Mrs Watts, an office worker at Stansted Airport, has been writing to Essex County Council social services, asking for advice on how to solve the problem, but has so far received no reply.

She said: "I don't know what else we can do. I keep contacting social services and leaving messages but nobody gets back."

She added: "It's cost a lot of money to get a ticket for Craig and this is what is holding us up now."

Essex social services say a court must decide who is Craig's guardian and legal advice is needed to make an application for guardianship.

Ann Goldsmith, county manager for children's assessment and protection services, said: "In a tragic case like this we would encourage family and close friends to decide who asks the court for parental responsibility."

"We wouldn't want to interfere unnecessarily with arrangements the family have made to care for the children."

Mrs Watts now intends to make an application for legal guardianship of Craig.

If anyone knows the whereabouts of Craig's father, Mr Tomlinson, can they contact Glen Oldershaw on 01376 343344.

Craig and Brenda won't be holidaying together unless something is done soon

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