A brave toddler who continues to defy doctors’ expectations will join a pioneering treatment scheme.

Three-year-old Finley Rosbotham, who learned to walk after being born with brain damage, will join the Mirror Scheme at Manchester University.

The programme will see Finley playing with toys in front of a mirror in an attempt to train his brain to help improve his grip and movements on the left side of his body.

Finley struggles to pick things up with his left hand and the scheme aims to teach the brain to mimic the movements of the right side.

Finley is fronting an appeal by the Observer to raise £20,000 for specialist disabled equipment for Holly House where Finley was a pupil.

Finley, of Pearl Court, Accrington, had his six-month assessment with doctors and mum Kelly said they continue to be impressed by his progress and have recommended him for the scheme.

She said: “It’s great that he’s been put forward for this, he won’t do it until maybe this time next year but they think it could really help him.”

She added that doctors at the Royal Blackburn Hospital were stunned with the toddler's progress after warning Kelly and dad Ivan their son may never walk or talk.

She added: “Physically he’s a little miracle and he’s come a long way.

“Mentally he has a long way to go, he doesn’t read or write or talk much.”

Finley will be getting extra support at his mainstream nursery Fairfield and his family plans to see how he gets on at a mainstream school in September. In the meantime, Finley and Kelly will revisit Holly House specialist child development centre which supported Finley and his family until he left last year.

An open day will be held on Wednesday, February 20 from 11.30am to 2pm at the Blackburn Road centre for people  who donated to the appeal or want  to get involved to find out more about their amazing work.

Kelly added that she hoped more people would join in and organise events for our campaign.