They're here! DIY SOS team start Big Build at Matthew Cooper's Telford home - with video

Hundreds of generous local tradespeople have offered their services to help with the Big Build to make life easier for Matthew and his family.

Reporter Shophie Madden visited the house this afternoon, where DIY SOS presenter Nick Knowles said the build was already going well.

The BBC are helping to transform the house in Trench so Matthew can return home for the first time in more than a year and a half.

Matthew, who is now 11, has been cared for at Birmingham Children's Hospital since August 2015, after he was diagnosed with brain and spinal cancer.

After more than a year in hospital Matthew has finished his chemotherapy and since the end of last year has been living in a rented house until the family home is made suitable for his needs.

Preparation at the building has been going on since before Christmas, with foundation work laid for the extension, some of the interior fixtures and fittings removed and an asbestos team have been in to strip the house.

Gabrielle Blackman, the show's interior designer, said: "I'm so pleased to be here. So great to be finally getting started.

"The prep time is very long and quite stressful so I'm pleased to actually be doing it now.

"We can't believe the support we have had from Telford, it has just been fantastic.

"There has been tremendous support from the community, it has got to the stage where we've had to say to people, no more."

About 80 to 100 volunteers have been at the house on the first day, with the same expected for the whole of the nine-day build.

Gabrielle said the design of the build had been a challenge but that the team were looking forward to turning the house back into the home.

She said: "It has been a huge challenge, there are two things that need to go into the house, first of all all the practical things, but it also needs to be safe and cosy and welcoming and a proper home."

Matthew has been cared for at Birmingham Children's Hospital since August 2015, after he was diagnosed with brain and spinal cancer.

After more than a year in hospital Matthew, from Telford, has finished his chemotherapy and since the end of last year has been living in a rented house until the family home is made suitable for his needs.

Over the past year, Wrockwardine Wood Junior School and the wider community have managed to raise hundreds of thousands of pounds towards renovating Matthew's Trench home for when he is well enough to be discharged from hospital.

Now that DIY SOS have stepped in, the money will be used by his parents Sue and Leigh to help fund his ongoing treatment.

Among those volunteering have been a team from Telford Lions Club.

Shirley Vaughan from the group said: "We've been doing teas, coffees and cakes.

"The club motto is we serve so we are literally doing just that.

"This is our way of contributing to getting Matthew home."

Also helping was Ian Law from Wolverhampton. He said he has been redundant since November and saw the opportunity to help.

Stafford-based decorator, Vicky Carr said: "Someone passed us on the Facebook plea for people to help, and I got engaged in emails back and forward.

"I'll be here about four or five days on and off."