A family who thought their son would never walk has seen him take his first steps.

Asher Carroll was diagnosed with cerebral palsy caused by a stroke suffered before he was born.

His parents set up an appeal which raised £70,000 to pay for the four-year-old to have a life-changing operation in the United States.

His mother, Kate Blok, said: "We honestly thought he may never walk and could be in a wheelchair forever but this autumn I watched my four-year-old crunch leaves under his feet for the first time. You can't imagine what that is like as a family.

The family, from Brighton, were helped by the Jewish charity, Camp Simchah, and by JC readers who donated thousands to the appeal after it was publicised in the paper.

Ms Blok added: "Asher has walked with me by his side, holding my hand and is using a walker to run all around his school. We are watching him achieve milestones every day when we did not even think it was possible."

"We are so excited for him and what the future holds. And can't get over the enormous gift the community has given us."