Little Joshua Ayling, six, from Furnace Green, who goes to St Francis of Assisi Primary School, was found to have benign intracranial hypertension (pressure and fluid on the brain) in September after complaining of headaches and drowsiness.

He endured 14 trips to the operating theatre, six lumbar punctures, and had to have two shunts (a tube used to drain excess fluid from one part of the body and carry it to other) after the first had to be removed because he suffered infections.

Now miracle Joshua, who will have to wear a shunt for the rest of his life - but without treatment could have become blind or suffered brain damage - is on the mend.

Mum Emma, 42, said: "It was a huge shock. We were frightened, and he was frightened, and he had to have a whole term off school."

For the full story see Wednesday's (July 1) Crawley Observer.