Local people have been asked to support an appeal to raise £10,000 for an operation for a six-year-old Liskeard boy suffering from cerebral palsy

The appeal has been backed by television personality Edward Woodward.

The operation, which could take place at Plymouth's Derriford Hospital, would stop young Ryan Morgan's muscles seizing up, and should enable him to be more mobile - it may even lead to him taking some independent steps.

Ryan, of Connoc Close, Liskeard, was diagnosed as a cerebral palsy sufferer when he was l0 months, after suffering a brain haemorrhage.

He had been born three months premature. It was recently that his mother Rachel, 26, and his father Paul, 28, learnt about a young girl suffering a similar condition to Ryan who had been given the operation to enhance her life.

Muscles

It involves implanting a small pump under the skin, this able to administer a drug which relaxes the muscles and prevents them seizing.

At present Ryan, who attends Woodlands school in Plymouth, has stiffness in hands and arms.

He also can't sit by himself, and doesn't have the dexterity to hold things like a pen.

The push to find the necessary £10,000 was started by Ryan's grandmother, Christine Thompson of Liskeard, who read about the operation on the little girl from Staffordshire. Mr Woodward, who lives in Calstock and achieved worldwide fame as The Equalizer, was among those contacted for help.

He said he was glad to be able to do something for a local child, and said he would use the proceeds from calendars etc produced by his international fan organisation based in San Francisco to help Ryan.

Smiles

He said he felt it was important to bring the attention of children like Ryan to the public, but in a way which involved fun and smiles.

Rachel said that doctors were unsure if Ryan will ever be able to control a wheelchair, but she hopes that the operation will give him more independence.

She described him as an intelligent and happy boy who loves Teletubbies, while Paul said his son made the most of life, and never had tantrums.

Interest in helping to fund-raise for Ryan has already been shown by Fintan O'Malley's and the Barley Sheaf in Liskeard as well as Liskeard school and community college.

The family now hope that other organisations may like to help Ryan.

A total of £1,600 has already been reached towards the £10,000 target.

A special account has been set up in Barclays Bank in the name of Ryan's grandmother, Christine Thompson.

The account number is 80141747 and the sort code 205040.