Corwin Meynell was born with a rare condition meaning he has only half a heart. But today he is a bubbly, active little boy after recovering from complicated surgery at Glenfield Hospital.

On May 30 he celebrated his first birthday and will grow in strength over the next three to four years before he must face a third, hopefully final, operation.

Mum Abigail said: "The condition means he has only one pumping chamber. If we get through all the surgery Corwin has a very good chance – he may need a heart transplant in future, perhaps when he's 15 to 25, but techniques are advancing fast.

"He's recovered very well, although he gets tired easily. It's very positive at the moment and we don't tend to look too far ahead."

On Saturday Corwin's grandfather, Melton solicitor Howard Partridge, held a coffee morning at his Thorpe Arnold home in aid of Little Hearts Matter, a charity to help and support families with children suffering from similar conditions.

Mr Partridge, who raised £500, said: "He's a happy, smiling little boy, brave and lovable. We're a close-knit family and everyone pulls together to care for him."

* For more information about the charity, log on to www.lhm.org.uk