A seven-year-old from Dartford who has a rare neurological condition has finally been given the chance to ride a bike.

Rhys, who lives just outside Dartford, was born with Sturge Weber Syndrome, meaning he has already had to undergo brain operations to try and control his epileptic seizures.

As a result of the seizures, and side effects of the operations, Rhys also has hemiplegia, meaning he has no motor function in his left hand and severely limited use of his left leg.

Rhys has much higher risks of falling than other children, and reduced balance and coordination - meaning he was unable to ride a regular bike with his brother Kaisas and his friends.

After a therapist recommended a trike for Rhys to exercise and spend more time with his friends, Rhys went for a special fitting for one and fell in love with it.

Rhys’s mum Carly said: “The trike cost over £1,000 which would have been a huge ask for me but after seeing Rhys’s reaction when he first tried the trike I knew that by hook or crook we would have to find some way of funding it.”

After applying to children's charity Children Today for funding, Carly was happy to find out they were willing to stump up the full £1,300 to get Rhys his bike.

Carly said: "This experience has made a huge difference to our family. Before he had his trike Rhys had to be in his buggy to go to school, now Rhys rides his trike to school at least once a week so he feels so much more grown up. He keeps saying he has the coolest bike in the school.

“This trike has been incredibly helpful for his self-esteem as he’s mixing more with his friends, and is even able to ride together with his brother now. It’s also definitely having a positive impact on his fitness. He can’t yet really ride directionally so I pull him when we are going somewhere and now he’ll pedal really fast to make me run which makes him laugh!”

According to Great Ormond Street Hospital, it isn't known how many people are diagnosed with SWS but it a rare disorder. It can affect all ethnic groups and is equally common in boys and girls.

The special trike is designed to suit Rhys by including a mitten so he can hold the handlebar with his left hand and foot plates, and a special knee and belt to let the seven-year-old sit securely.

Children Today provides funding for children with disabilities across the country for specialised equipment.

Rhys can ride the bike, or be pushed if he gets worn out.

His mum said: "Rhys is such an energetic and loving boy who has shown such strength and determination throughout his life already so it’s amazing that he’s been able to enjoy the freedom of being able to cycle independently which without this trike he would never have been able to.

“It’s also had a huge effect on Rhys’s wellbeing already and, as the trike it will last him into his early teens, this is only going to get better and better.”