AN 11-YEAR-OLD schoolboy is to have his dream come true this summer when he swims with dolphins at Walt Disney World, Florida.

Sean Linley, who was diagnosed with Becker Muscular Dystrophy (BMD) when he was three years old, will enjoy an all-expenses paid holiday courtesy of Make A Wish - the national charity which grants wishes for children, aged three to 18, who have life-threatening illnesses.

There are more than 20 neuro-muscular disorders which come under the muscular dystrophies group and BMD affects one in 20,000 UK babies.

Unlike other conditions which make the muscle weak, muscular dystrophies are where the muscle cells degenerate and are destroyed so they do not work properly. BMD is particularly rare in people under 10 and patients usually become wheelchair-bound only from their 30s, and live for another 20 years.

But Sean's parents Garry and Joanne first noticed something was different about Sean when he was three, and he was diagnosed shortly afterwards.

Garry, 35, of Ullswater Close, Blackburn, said: "The muscles had gone on the bottom of his feet so we took him to the doctor's and he was referred for tests.

"It was a big shock when we found out what it was and we could not understand it. You shouldn't get it until your 20s or 30s but it is one of those things you just have to accept. Sean is fantastic with it and just gets on with things."

Sean was able to walk albeit slowly until two years ago but has used a wheelchair since then.

The family, including Sean's brother Scott, nine, will enjoy a trip of a lifetime this June after being nominated by family friends Maureen and Patrick McGarvey, who run the Plane Tree Hotel, Cob Wall.

Maureen is on the Make A Wish committee and decided to nominate Sean for a dream come true. Sean, a pupil at St Anthony's Primary School in Shadsworth Road, said: "I picked Disney World because I've seen the adverts on television and thought it would be fun.

"I'm most looking forward to swimming with dolphins because my friend has already done that and I want to have a go."

Joanne said: "We're so happy for Sean - it's fantastic. It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and we are really grateful to Maureen and Patrick."

Make a Wish Lancashire co-ordinator Karen Rainford can be contacted on 07801 446099.