A dad who is only just beginning to walk again after a horrific hit-and-run car smash has been dealt a new blow with the discovery that his young son may also soon be unable to walk properly.

Christopher Drake is slowly recovering after his right foot had to be rebuilt in an emergency operation after he was knocked down by one car and then run over by another.

But while he entered the New Year optimistic about recovering his ability to walk again, the dad of eight-year-old Connor has been devastated by the news that his son has been diagnosed with a crippling bone disorder.

And today the 35-year-old spoke of his fears for Connor's future after he was diagnosed with Perthes' disease.

The crippling hip problem causes the bone to disintegrate and patients become immobilised.

Mr Drake said it was upsetting to see his usually-active son limping around and unable to play out on his bike.

"As yet we don't know if he'll be able to walk in the future," Mr Drake admitted.

"Apparently his hip bone hasn't formed properly and it's as soft as jelly. It's very worrying."

After visits to his GP, Connor was diagnosed at St Luke's Hospital, in Bradford, after an X-ray revealed the disorder.

He is now being treated at Bradford Royal Infirmary.

Mr Drake said: "It's awful for him because usually he can't sit still and is always up to something, he can be a little devil.

"Now we'll just have to see what can be done for him.

"We noticed Connor was having problems in walking upstairs, and in the mornings he particularly suffers."

Perthes' disease affects one in a thousand people and treatment can include patients being fitted with orthopaedic aids, such as callipers. In many cases surgery is needed.

Mr Drake, who returned from Bradford Royal Infirmary to his Clayton home for Christmas to be with his partner Eleanor Campbell and their children, Connor and four-year-old Kennedy, said it would be worrying if his son had to wear callipers.

"I just want him to get better and able to play and run like other boys," he said.

"Connor doesn't seem that bothered about it at the moment and we have to make sure we don't show him how upset we are."

Mr Drake had the pot on his left foot removed last week and now has to start learning to walk again using a zimmer frame.

"The two of us could be out of action for a while yet and we'll be given further information when Connor goes to hospital again in three months," said Mr Drake, who will need further surgery on his right foot.

"It's not an easy time for us but I'm sure we'll pull through."

Orthopaedic surgeon Steve Bollen at Bradford Royal Infirmary said the disease affected children aged six to 12 years old.

He said: "It affects the head of the femur, or, in layman's terms, the ball of the ball-and-socket joint, effectively causing this to die and then re-model itself".