THE grandmother of a terminally ill youngster is appealing to the Prime Minister to help arrange a special trip to London.

Jean Osborne wants to take her seven-year-old grandson, Matthew Downs, from Burley-in-Wharfedale, to the capital to see all the sights.

But because he suffers from muscle wasting disease and diabetes, it is difficult for the family to use the normal tourist routes.

Mrs Osborne, from Otley, said: "We've been to London a couple of times and he just loves it, but there's so many places he wants to see that we've not been able to get to for one reason or another.

"Either they've been closed or the crowds have been too long. With him being diabetic, you have to keep an eye on the time all the time," she said.

Matthew suffers from Duch-enne muscular dystrophy which is complicated with diabetes and is not expected to live far beyond his 21st birthday. His mother, Lesley Downs, has just had another baby, Megan, who does not have the genetically carried disease but could be a carrier.

Mrs Osborne said: "I'm going to write to Tony Blair and tell him all about our family and see what he can do.

"He might not be able to help, but I can ask and if it means Matthew getting to London and to all the places he wants to see then it will have been worth it."

l Meanwhile, the family's bid to raise £30,000 for a specially adapted car for Matthew is just £1,000 short of its target.

The family want to stage a race night in Baildon at the Copper Beech Club.

But although they have been promised free use of the club on any Sunday evening and have pledges of food and tickets, they need just one more vital ingredient - the projection equipment needed to stage the races.

Mrs Osborne said: "Someone out there must have this equipment.

Race nights are held for all sorts of charities and are very popular. It would be such a shame if we couldn't hold an event when we've got everything else in place."

Anyone able to help should telephone Jean Osborne on (01943) 468592.