A SURGEON at Frenchay Hospital has become the first in the country to carry out a pioneering procedure that could enable children with cerebral palsy to walk.

Consultant neurosurgeon Kristian Aquilina carried out the first operation, which involves dividing nerves as they enter the spinal cord, at Frenchay in May.

The patient was seven-year-old Beau Britton, from Cornwall, whose life has already changed dramatically.

His mum Tracy said: "We know this is a long-term thing and we are fully prepared for that. My ultimate aim is for Beau to walk without his wheelchair or walking frame but that is a long time off and it is difficult to think that far ahead at the moment.

"What has amazed me are some of the instant effects. As far as we can tell he is not waking up with cramps at night due to spasticity anymore - something which has caused major sleep deprivation for all of us over the last seven years.

"Also his cerebral palsy meant that his legs were crossed and his feet were planted on top of each other. They are now straight and getting him dressed is so much easier because his overall balance has improved so much."

She said: "He was sitting on the sofa the other day and started dangling his legs over the edge - this may sound like a really small thing but he has never been able to do this before. He can also wriggle his toes."

If performed early enough, the operation known as Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR), can reduce or even eliminate problems with muscle shortening, contractures and abnormal bone growth common in cerebral palsy.

The technique is already an established treatment in cerebral palsy but has not been widely available in the UK until now.

Mr Aquilina said: "Up to now SDR, in its traditional form only, has been available at one hospital in the country and this year alone 40 families from the UK have gone to the United States for SDR at their own expense.

"We have now set up a multidisciplinary team at Frenchay Hospital to evaluate and select children for SDR.

"This team consists of paediatric physiotherapists with special expertise in cerebral palsy, a paediatric neurosurgeon, a paediatric orthopaedic surgeon and a paediatric neurologist."

Frenchay Hospital is offering a new version of SDR which concentrates on the lower part of the spinal cord - increasing its effectiveness and reducing risk. Beau's story will be featured as part of a special BBC Inside Out West documentary on SDR which will be shown on BBC1 in the West of England on Monday, June 20 (7.30pm).