A YOUNG boy who battled against serious illness has his future sewn up after deciding to follow his mum's footsteps and stitch curtains - at the age of eight!

Robert Hill from Penwortham near Preston, was struck down with pneumonia and while in hospital doctors discovered he had a hole in his heart.

After a worrying time, the eight-year-old has recovered and set his sights on his next goal, taking over his mum's business! Mum Christina, a seamstress who is displaying her wares at Samlesbury Hall, makes and sells curtains from her Abbot Meadow home.

She paid tribute to her ambitious son: "He's been great. He wants to put it all behind him and get on with things."

Robert returns to hospital to have his heart monitored and has to be strict with hygiene. In the meantime the tennis-mad youngster spends his time sketching pelmet and pleat designs for Christina's company Biermann Hill Ltd. Christina said: "He wants to run the business when he's older. "I take advice from him and he comes with me to see clients."

A drawing by Robert is on display at Samlesbury Hall alongside his mum's designs until Sunday (Feb 22).

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