TWIN brothers suffering from cerebral palsy have been given a double cause for celebration thanks to a national children's charity.

Seven-year-olds Joshua and Sam Hartley, of Manse Crescent, Burley-in-Wharfe-dale both have a lot to thank their mother, Michelle, for.

Determined to get the best for her children (she also has a five year old daughter, Abie, Mrs Hartley applied to charity Dreams Come True to see if they could pay for some extra special treats.

And now the organisation has come up trumps - agreeing to fund a birthday trip to Paris (accompanied by the whole family) for Joshua and buying a specially adapted computer for Sam.

Mrs Hartley said: "I contacted Dreams Come True hoping they could help, because with three children I can do with all the help I can get, especially with it being the summer holidays!

"Now they have agreed to sort Sam out with a brand new computer, with all the special needs requirements built in, and for Joshua they are going to help him go to Paris again, this time for his birthday in May next year.

"He has been once before, with the Wish Upon A Star charity, just before last Christmas and he really loved it.

"But this time when the weather should be warmer and sunnier I'm hoping there will be even more to interest him."

Joshua and Sam were born 13 weeks prematurely, both with cerebral palsy - the general name for a group of brain disorders which affect the communication between the brain and the muscles.

It can affect muscle coordination and movement and those affected can have limited motor skills, speech difficulties and learning disabilities. The condition is caused by damage to one or more specific areas of the brain, usually before, during, or shortly after birth or during infancy.

Joshua's symptoms include difficulty with walking and he also suffers from hydrocephalus, a swelling of the fluid filled chambers of the brain which a surgically-fitted device helps drain into his stomach.

Sam, meanwhile cannot talk and is only able to communicate with his family and friends by using an electronic communication aid. His computer provides another, vital communication outlet.

The boys both started their education at the specialist Lister Lane School, in Bradford, but Joshua was able to join other children in the village when he began studying at Burley and Woodhead C of E Primary School in 2003.

Mrs Hartley says they are looking forward to their special treats.

She said: "Sam knows he is getting the computer because they visited him at school to get a good idea of what he really needed and Joshua's got a vague idea he is going to Paris, but I haven't told him too much or else he'll get too excited - and it's still a bit of a way off!"

Dreams Come True specialises in fulfilling the wishes of seriously and terminally ill children and young people aged two to 21. To find out more about the charity call the freephone number 0800 018 6013 or visit www.dctc.org.uk.