Teenager Adam Metcalfe put his new electronic arm through its paces when he visited hospital to have it fitted.

Adam, 14, mastered how to grip and rotate the electronic hand within minutes - crushing a soft drink can to prove it.

Born without arms, the Bowling Community College pupil hopes the new limbs will help him look like his friends.

After a second fitting session at Leeds's Chapel Allerton Hospital he should be able to take the arms home next month.

Adam, of Arkwright Street, Tyersal, Bradford, said: "The hand has got a really strong grip and it seems easy enough to use.

"It's great, it's as good as I thought it was going to be."

The limbs, which have to be adapted to fit Adam's body, include a motorised gripping right hand, a rotating wrist, and a motorised elbow.

Being 'right-handed' Adam's left arm and hand are simpler mechanical devices designed to make his body look 'complete'.

The arms are strapped together between the shoulders and are put on like protective shoulder pads.

Prosthetist Roy Phillips said: "Adam is very agile and I'm sure he'll take to the electronic limb.

"It'll be up to him how he gets on with the arms but the hand is useful for everyday tasks.

"Adam's a bit special, we don't deal with someone like him every day."

Costing several thousand pounds, the hand is controlled by switches which Adam can push with a finger he has on his right shoulder. The limb is battery driven and rechargeable batteries should last for up to one day.

Mr Phillips took measurements of Adam's legs to determine how long his arms should be.

His father David Metcalfe said: "This is what he's been waiting for, he's really chuffed.

"He used to have artificial arms when he was a child but they were mechanical and he decided to do without them. He wanted new arms because he's getting to the age when he doesn't want to feel different."

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