Cured - The boy who couldn't eat chocolate

A Shropshire eight-year-old who has never been able to eat chocolate because of a rare medical condition is having a special party this weekend where he can gorge out for the first time in his life.

Liam Addinell, of Racecourse Avenue, Shrewsbury, was born with two bowels instead of one and at seven months old also had to undergo open heart surgery because of a heart defect.

The St Giles's Primary School pupil has been in and out of Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool since he was born and as a result of his bowel condition he has never been able to eat chocolate.

But after coming out of hospital following his 11th operation, doctors have given the youngster the thumbs-up to tuck-in to chocolate bars and cakes to make up for lost time.

His mum Rachel Croft today said her son had been thinking of a way to celebrate the occasion and had decided to have a chocolate party which will also raise money for the Imagine appeal at Alder Hey.

Mrs Croft said the event would take place on Saturday between 11am and 1pm at St Giles's Church Hall in Springfield.

Mrs Croft said her son's condition was so rare that doctors had conducted lectures about Liam but said he was determined to enjoy the luxuries in life when he could.

She said: "He likes milk chocolate and chocolate cakes which he can't get enough of.

"He's got a little brother, Ethan, who is 18 months old and he wants to pinch his chocolate buttons.

"At the party on Saturday we're going to have loads of cakes and chocolate bars and we will be raising money for the hospital's Imagine appeal."