After a months of tireless campaigning, a little boy from Erith has had a life changing operation to allow him to hear.

In October - News Shopper reported how Jacob Ryan, now five, needed £40,000 for the hearing operation.

His relieved family has now surpassed their target.

Jacob - who was born profoundly deaf in his right ear and severely deaf in his left - was given a cochlear implant on Saturday, February 10 at the Portland Hospital.

The surgery was a success, and Jacob is home recovering and upbeat ahead of check-ups. 

The five-year-old's aunt, Nicola Chambers, of Low Close in Stone, told News Shopper Jacob was "really excited" to be able hear properly.

She added: "This implant will allow hearing in his right ear. For a boy of five it is crucial. He is quite lacking in speech. Only immediate family can understand what he is saying.

"The surgery should activate sound between two and four weeks and his speech should develop really well."

Jacob currently goes to a school for deaf children, but his family now hope to send him to a mainstream school in future.

The surgery was planned for St Thomas', but a last minute change resulted in the family having to choose Portland Hospital.

Portland usually charges £58,000 for the operation, but Professer Jiang negotiated for a price closer to the £44,000 the family raised.

A comment on the Help Jacob Hear Facebook page said: "Any money that we receive over the amount needed for surgery and accessories such as waterproofing will go towards extra speech and language sessions for Jacob.

"Thanks again for all of your efforts and support! Jacob is very lucky for every one of his supporters."