A 12-YEAR-OLD Sale boy who emigrated to Austria five years ago has formed an unlikely bond with the Austrian president Alexander Van der Bellen, after writing to him about his worries over Britain leaving the EU.

When Oscar Hennin-Hetzinger was assigned a project about politicians who changed the world, the schoolboy was prompted to write to the Austrian president Alexander Van der Bellen.

Politics had recently shaken Oscar’s world, with the youngster, who was born in Sale and moved to Austria aged seven, left heartbroken over the Brexit vote.

In his letter, Oscar wrote: “On June 23 2016, the Brexit took place and broke many hearts, including mine. I was really disappointed in the decision that the majority of the British people made.

"I’m half Austrian, half British, I have Slovenian step sisters, my dad lives in England and a ton of my friends also live in Britain.

“As you can imagine with my background, borders like Britain wants to have since the Brexit do not make sense. Since all they do is to distance people.

“So, since June the 23 I became more interested in politics, to know what I’m fighting for and to inspire others to do the same.”

Oscar, who attended St Joseph’s Primary in Sale before moving to Linz, recounted a speech given by the president at the EU parliament, which called for children to be more engaged in politics.

“Your speech did not only inspire me but gave me the impression that the whole world’s future was in the children’s hands and less on the people who are running the world now,” he wrote.

He then requested an interview with the president, to talk about how young people can make a difference through politics.

And his request was granted.

Not only did the president write back to Oscar, but he took him up on his offer of an interview.

President Van der Bellen recently paid a visit to Oscar’s school, speaking to his classmates about their political views and sitting down with Oscar to discuss his concerns.

The visit received widespread coverage in Austria’s national media, with many praising the president for fulfilling Oscar’s wish and paying tribute to Oscar for his impassioned statement.

Dad Martin Hennin, who lives in Altrincham, said: “I was a bit surprised at how upset he was, but I also was, and am very upset. I’m very proud that he instigated this action all by himself, he wasn’t pushed to do it, it was his impulse. I am very proud of him.”