A seriously ill five-year-old boy was all smiles today after the garden of his Bradford home was secretly transformed into a playground - thanks to a children's charity.

Joshua Turpin, who has a main artery missing between his heart and lungs and a serious condition which suppresses his immune system, was stunned when he returned home to find a pirate ship, swing, slide, sand pit and see-saw had been built there.

The charity, The Make A Wish Foundation, which grants requests of children and young people fighting life-threatening illnesses, had arranged a day out for Joshua so the work could be done while he was away.

He, his brother Sean, seven, and mum Michelle, 36, were picked up from their house in Clayton, Bradford, in a limousine and taken to The Deep, a marine visitor attraction in Hull.

In the meantime his dad Stephen, 41, his granddad, John Byrne, 60, his brother Brian, 16, and representatives at Make A Wish and the Early Learning Centre in Bradford, set to constructing the playground.

His mum described how when they returned home Joshua and Sean had thrown off their coats and shoes before looking outside into the garden in amazement.

She said: "It was a complete surprise, the boys did not expect it at all."

Mrs Turpin said Make A Wish had first been in contact with Joshua a few years ago, but there had been complications.

She said: "First he wanted to swim with the dolphins in Florida, but he was told he couldn't be insured for that, then he wanted to be a mascot and meet David Beckham, but the FA said he was too young.

"Finally he made a wish to go to Eurodisney, but when it was time to go, he got chicken pox."

She felt overwhelmed by the charity's kindness.

"Joshua has waited for this for three years and now he's going to finally get his wish. We've had a wonderful day, and have been given the full VIP treatment."

Mrs Turpin said when Joshua was born they were told he had a pulmonary atresia with VSD and Digeorge Syndrome.

"When Joshua was born, he was given hours to live, then months. Now he's nearly six and because he can't go off and play with other children, he can play safely here" she said.

Joshua said: "My favourite bit is the swing, it's really nice. I am going to play with all the things."

The Make A wish Foundation started in 1986 and has granted more than 4,200 wishes.

Its regional manager, Francesca Towson, said: "We hope Joshua has a fantastic time playing on his pirate ship."

Rachel Strong, manager at the Early Learning Centre said she had been contacted by Make A Wish to ask if the store could provide the equipment.

She said: "I suppose our help could have stopped there but we thought it was such a worthwhile charity that we decided to help out on the day."

e-mail: ali.davies@bradford.newsquest.co.uk