A YOUNG cerebral palsy sufferer is looking forward to a happy New Year with a wheelchair which will give him a new lease of life and independence.

John Hindle, 10, was born three months premature, weighing 2lb 1oz, and suffered a brain haemorrhage at three days old. He was diagnosed with cerebral palsy after 14 weeks and spent more of his first two years in hospital than at home.

The youngster, of Victoria Street, Clayton-le-Moors, is now like most boys his age but his physical disability has been limiting for him. In July his parents, Trevor and Janet, decided the only thing to do was save up and buy an electric wheelchair with a hydraulic seat to give John more flexibility and independence at a cost of £5,000.

During the last five months generous fundraisers rallied around and helped to exceed this target which means John will soon have his own chair -- and a new laptop computer to help with his schoolwork.

Fundraising began with the final concert of local punk band Nobody's Heroes at the Brewers Arms, Thwaites Road, Oswaldtwistle, and charged their fans to sing along with them.

At the same time, Asda Accrington became involved shortly followed by a number of local pubs and clubs, Scales Funeral Services, Clayton Park Bakery, Fair on the Square and staff at The Appetiser.

Local people who heard about John also donated generously and the youngster's hero David Dunn along with other Rovers players also lent a hand. Janet said: "It is going to be like having a toddler with a new toy rather than a 10-year-old and he will probably wreck the house as he bangs all the doors getting used to it.

"He's ecstatic about this and will probably spend most of his time in the kitchen exploring all the places he hasn't been able to reach before.

"Obviously we are disappointed that John won't have his own chair in time for Christmas but we know it can't be helped and will have to accept that.

"We just can't believe that we got so much money together so quickly -- everyone has been so generous and it has made me want to carry on for other things.

"There are a lot of of local kids who people are trying to raise money for and I would like to help with that as well in the New Year.