Andrew Smith had the best possible present for Christmas - the news that a gruelling, 11-month ordeal to lengthen his legs was over.

Ten-year-old Andrew, from Wibsey, Bradford, spent most of this year with 25 metal pins in his legs - inserted during a seven-hour operation in February.

Parents Christine and Graham had to use spanners to tighten the pins four times a day, turning them just a quarter of a millimetre each time.

Now the whole family are overjoyed that the operation has been declared a success, with Andrew's plaster casts taken off ahead of schedule last week.

He has grown seven centimetres of new bone in his legs, which are now straightened as well as longer. In total he has grown four and a half inches in height this year.

Andrew was born with achondroplasia, a genetic bone disease which means his arms and legs are half the length they should be. Before the operation, his legs bent round "like a steering wheel", according to mum Christine.

Now free of the metal pins and plaster, he is able to wear trousers and enjoy a bath for the first time in 11 months - and is looking forward to being able to play football again.

The Newcastle United-mad youngster enjoyed a dream day out in August with his Toon heroes, meeting Alan Shearer and the rest of the Geordie squad at their Durham training ground.

"He was a bit depressed during the long summer holiday because he couldn't really play out," said Christine.

"I wrote to Kenny Dalglish, who was manager then, to ask if Andrew could be mascot for one of their matches. They don't do that but invited us to spend a day with them instead at the training ground."

Andrew's operation was carried out at Sheffield Children's Hospital. The family have helped to raise £4,000 through a sponsored walk for the unit which treated him.

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