A MOTHER who has suffered almost 800 broken bones is hoping to set up a theatre company for physically disabled and able bodied people.

Joanne Eaton, 30, of Fulwood Hall Lane, Preston, who was born with Osteogensis Imperfecta -- a rare condition which causes her bones to fracture easily -- is hoping to have it up and running before the end of next year.

She is currently preparing a business plan and hopes to apply for funding to get the company established.

Friends have already volunteered to help Joanne run it and she believes it will be the first of its kind in the North West.

As a teenager Joanne, who is in her final year studying for a BTEC diploma in performance production at Preston College, used to be a member of the now disbanded ACTcess theatre company, which used to be based in Preston.

Joanne, whose 11-year-old daughter Rachel also suffers with the same condition, said: "ACTcess was great but it was just for physically disabled people.

"I realised at college how well physically disabled and able bodied people can work together and thought it would be a great idea for a theatre company, especially as I'm not aware of any similar theatre companies in the North West."

Joanne, who had a party for her 100th fracture when she was 14 has taken four years to complete the two year course after slipping and breaking her back half way through.

She has spent 14 years at the St Vincent's Road college but never managed to complete a course due to her condition.

As a child she spent months in hospital after six boys at her former Carr Hill High School, Kirkham, threw her against a wall breaking both her kneecaps, wrists and seven ribs.

But she has battled on and is looking forward to setting up the drama group. "I'm very excited about my ideas," she said.