A BRAVE Bolton youngster has had a successful operation to mend a valve in his heart.

Nathan Howarth, of Marion Street, Great Lever, went into Alder Hey Children's Hospital at the weekend where surgeons performed the operation.

The two-year-old, who has been in and out of hospital since he was born, could have faced the trauma of having to undergo open heart surgery if the procedure had not worked.

His parents Denise and Mick faced an agonising wait to see if the operation had proved successful and were overjoyed when they were told Nathan could go home.

Denise said: "We just thought it was brilliant news and couldn't believe it.

"It's nice to have some good news for once!''

Nathan suffers from several unconnected disorders, including fanconi anaemia, heart and hearing problems, had a lung removed and was ill for many months with a stomach ulcer.

He faces a tough battle ahead after being diagnosed with the extremely rare gene disorder- fanconi anaemia - and his parents are desperate to send him to America for specialist treatment.

They are frantically trying to raise £150,000 for the trip and have held all sorts of fundraising events as well as receiving help from local businesses, friends and family.

Doctors in this country have told the couple that there is no cure for the disorder which affects only one in six million people.

They have also told Nathan's parents that their son - who cannot inhale smoke, go to a swimming pool or even sit on a new carpet because of chemicals that would trigger cancer in his blood cells - has a life expectancy, at the very best, of no more than 20.

Denise added: "The next step will be to have Nathan's feeding tube removed from his stomach which I'm really worried about because I will have to be extra sure he is eating enough and is digesting everything okay.

"But doctors have said while the tube remains it could leave him open to infections.''

Anyone wanting to support the Nathan Howarth appeal is urged to call his mum on 0802-694448.