THE operation which a four-year-old boy from Eastburn badly needs to enable him to walk will be funded by the NHS.

This news has delighted the family of Ajay Ramos, who has spastic diplegia, which is a form of cerebral palsy.

But their fundraising campaign must go on, as they will still need to find enough money for intensive post surgery treatment for Ajay, who was born nine weeks premature and cannot stand or walk independently.

His mum, Tania Ramos, said she only learned last week that the operation her son needs, called selective dorsal rhizotomy, (SDR) will now be NHS funded.

NHS England has confirmed that it will fund SDR for children aged three to nine-years-old.

The NHS announced its plan to provide this type of treatment for patients, just days after it celebrated its 70th anniversary.

SDR is a procedure aimed at relieving tight and stiff muscles for cerebral palsy sufferers, particularly in children, which can cause movement and balance problems.

The treatment can allow children who were previously unable to walk to become mobile and independent.

Miss Ramos said: "It's really good news, and it has taken a lot of the pressure off us.

"But we will need to continue fundraising for Ajay's post operation physio care. We've raised about £8,000 so far and need another £17,000 to make sure we're covered."

People can support the appeal, called Ajay's Wish To Walk, online at just4children.org/children-helped2017/ajays-wish-to-walk/

Ajay, who attends Wingate Nursery, off Fell Lane, can currently only get around by crawling or by using a wheeled walking frame.

His mum said he suffered a serious seizure while at his nursery at the end of May, and had to be rushed to hospital.

She said his health had been better since then, but no date has yet been set for his surgery.