A new trike bought by Round Tablers is already making a difference to the life of a six-year-old boy with a rare disorder.

The special trike, costing more than £1,000, was bought for Tom Newton, a pupil at Chellow Heights Special School in Bradford, by Ilkley Round Table and it is already helping him enjoy more freedom to get about.

Tom, of Menston, was born with a condition resulting from an extra chromosome, causing learning disabilities, poor communication abilities and cognitive difficulties.

While he would struggle to ride a conventional children’s bicycle, he is learning greater freedom by riding the trike, which has a harness to keep him in, and a handle for his parents to help him steer.

His mother, Elizabeth, says he is getting great enjoyment from the trike, which will suitable for him until he is aged about 11 or 12.

She said: “Tom smiles and sings when he’s on his trike. It’s really lovely to see.”

Ilkley Round Table offered to buy the trike after it was contacted by The Children Today Charitable Trust.

Local individuals and good causes which could benefit from funds raised by Ilkley Round Table can e-mail communityservice@ilkleyroundtable.org.uk.