THE MOTHER of a boy with a life-limiting degenerative condition is "delighted with hope" following news a vital drug could be made available in five years.

Isaac White, 12, of Marston has Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), which weakens muscles to the point that by his age, most sufferers cannot walk.

His mum Kathy Wedell, said his physiotherapists were "astonished" he was still able to walk, swim, and run around and said the research advancements were very encouraging.

She said: "We are very excited by the developments and it is looking very hopeful that the drug will be applicable to all children with Duchenne.

"Isaac is twelve now and it is astonishing he is still walking, he still has good use of his upper body as well which is amazing.

The John Watson School pupil has been taking part in a trial for Translarna - a drug which slows down the effects of DMD - but the new drug, could enable sufferers to produce a protein to replace that which their condition stops them making.

Translarna was recently approved on the NHS for a period of five years for those still walking over the age of five.

Mrs Wedell said: "Translarna has been working really well for Isaac and its approval will essentially buy us time.

"It will eventually be a combination of drugs used to combat the effects of Duchenne and we are delighted with how things are going it is very promising."

Researchers at Oxford University, led by Dame Kay Davies, developing the new drug - which encourages the body to produce the protein Utrophin - have revealed it could be available in five years.