Burns victim sleeping soundly

The mother of a schoolboy who suffered serious burns in an accident at his Black Country home hit on the idea of buying her son a puppy to help him sleep after eight months of disturbed nights.

And Zoe Turner said the Jack Russell, called Brian, has had an amazing effect on Anton, who has now slept soundly since October. She said it was the best buy of her life.

Anton, aged seven, had to be taken to Liverpool's Alder Hey Hospital after falling on to a gas fire at his home in Chuckery, Walsall, in February last year.

The schoolboy spent more than a month being treated in the North West, almost 90 miles and a one-and-a-half hour drive from home, before being transferred to Birmingham Children's Hospital. The Chuckery Primary School pupil has undergone countless operations and has even battled superbug MRSA since the serious accident.

He must return to hospital next week for two separate appointments, one with a child psychologist, who is helping Anton deal with the trauma of his accident, and the second with his consultant.

The specialist will set a date for Anton's next skin operation, of which there is likely to be many more.

Miss Turner said: "I have lost count of how many times he has been into theatre and he will have to have operations until he stops growing, which will be another 13 or 14 years.

"But I am really pleased with how he is doing and really appreciate everything the consultant has done for us."

She said parents Reg and Lynn Turner, who run The Rising Sun pub in Ablewell Street, have been pillars of strength to their daughter and grandson.

Miss Turner said: "My parents took it in turns to come up to Liverpool and sit with Anton so I could get a few hours' sleep. I have got good friends and family."

Anton, who was treated to a trip to Disneyland Paris 12 months ago by his mother and named an Express & Star Local Hero, said: "It hurt a lot. Sometimes you feel like you are going to die, even though you're not."