London, Feb 2 (IANS): A High Court judge in the UK has used Twitter for the first time to urge a mother who vanished with her three-year-old son to return home.

Ellie Yarrow-Sanders, 26, disappeared with Olly Sheridan in July following a family court litigation with her ex-partner Patrick Sheridan. Justice Williams, who sent the tweet, is overseeing the case.

It is thought to be the first time a judge has used Twitter in this way, the BBC said.

The Judicial Office used the hashtag comehomeolly and said: "High Court Judge, Justice Williams, and Ellie Yarrow-Sanders' mother and sister have made a direct appeal to Ellie to bring missing toddler Olly Sheridan home, with reassurances as to how she will be treated and given a voice in court."

Yarrow-Sanders' family -- mother Donna, 47, and sister Maddie, 22, from Basildon, Essex, on Friday made a joint plea with Sheridan, who is in his mid-40s, and said Olly needed to "come home to his normal life".

A senior social worker has been appointed to "promote Olly's welfare", however, the judge has made it clear that such a move would not mean there was any chance of Olly being placed in foster care.