Two youngsters from the Bradford district having the same life-changing operation have met up in a hospital in the US.

Ben Smithson, nine, of Ilkley, has already undergone the pioneering procedure known as selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) at the St Louis Children’s Hospital in Missouri.

The football-mad youngster, who has cerebral palsy, is now recovering well and undergoing intensive rehabilitation to help him walk unaided for the first time.

And today, six-year-old Evan Whitton, of Silsden, who also has cerebral palsy, will have the same operation carried out by the specialist, Dr TS Park.

The Smithson and Whitton families have met up in St Louis to talk about their experiences.

Ben’s mother, Charlotte, said it was great to meet up with the Whittons, and another family, the Wardleworths, to discuss their children and the operations.

“It was so lovely to all be together, the adults chatting away and the children playing on any electrical item they can get their hands on.”

Evan’s father, Andy, said it was good to talk to the other families, despite having only arrived in the US the previous day.

“We tried to get Ev to have a nap but he wasn’t interested but we had arranged to meet the Smithsons as well as the Wardleworths who were also here,” he said.

Evan has now met Dr Park, who has carried out thousands of the SDR procedures during his career, ahead of today’s operation.