The family of Alex Batty says the missing British schoolboy was "brainwashed" after living in a cult with his mother and grandfather.

The now 17, who went missing in 2017 after going on a family holiday to Spain, was abducted by his mother Melanie and grandfather David.

The family flew to Malaga Airport for a week-long stay in the Benahavis area near Marbella in.

However, they did not return to England as expected.

Alex Batty's grandmother and legal guardian spoke to her grandson last night

Alex was rescued when a local student spotted the teenager walking alone near the city of Toulouse and offered him a lift.

Reacting to the finding of the missing Briton, Alex's aunt, Maureen Batty, said she feared for the teenager's wellbeing after having spent so long living in the commune.

"Alex has been brainwashed by the religion David was in," the 73-year-old told the Daily Mail.

"Alex hasn't had any education while out there, so we don't know what he'll be like when he comes home.

Alex Batty disappeared in 2017

"[He] has had it rough. It is a mess.

"I've been told that Alex said that he had escaped and he didn't want to lead that lifestyle.

"I just want to know the truth about what's gone on."It is thought he had been living in a luxury house in Spain with around 10 people as part of a “spiritual community”, before moving to France in around 2021.

The teenager said he had been hiking in nearby mountains for more than four days in an attempt to return to England when he was rescued.

Alex's grandmother and legal guardian, Susan, is understood to have spoken to her grandson last night.

"We heard yesterday that he had been found. We're now arranging via the police to see him and hope to in the next few days," Susan's new husband, Emanuel, said.

"We miss him very much. We've been hoping, praying he'd be found safe."

David and Melanie Batty remain wanted in connection with Alex’s disappearance.