FOR MOST youngsters, just getting up for school on a dark, autumn morning is hard enough. But for one Fylde boy, the school run also meant an excruciating and almost impossible journey -- until now.

Gregory Rothwell, nine, of Frobisher Drive, St Annes, suffers from a rare skin condition which gives him painful blisters on his hands and feet. Sometimes his feet are so sore he can hardly walk.

But mum Sandra and dad Keith have found the answer -- Gregory's very own battery-powered "car"!

"It's a God-send," said Sandra, herself recovering from an operation to remove a kidney. "It's more like a little car than an invalidity vehicle. All Gregory's friends go 'wow!' and say it's better than their mum's car."

Although mum actually drives the vehicle, Gregory is able to roll up at his school, Heyhouses, as if he is in control. "You should see his face when he gets to school -- it's brilliant!" Sandra said.

Gregory has suffered from the incurable condition, epidermis bulosia, all his life. But real problems getting to school started when his grandad had to give up driving.

Sandra explained: "My dad used to take Gregory to school but he has been a bit unwell so he has given up driving. As I am unable to drive, a car was not the answer. Keith drives, but he starts work at 8am and school doesn't start until 8.45am. And taxis on a twice-daily basis are costly and not always reliable."

So the idea of a battery-powered mobility car for Gregory was born. To their delight they found an original battery car, complete with hood, for only £400. And the family couldn't believe their good fortune when they managed to buy a back-up second-hand vehicle for just £300.

Both little cars sport home-made personalised number plates bearing Sandra's initials.

"We are very pleased with our purchases," said Sandra. "If we hadn't found these we would have had to go for the more expensive ones that look more like invalidity vehicles. They would have done at a push, but I think Gregory would have been a bit embarrassed. He doesn't like telling people about his feet. These are the same principle but a more fun idea."

And she praised Gregory's sunny and determined personality. "When his feet are really bad and I don't know if he could go to school he says, 'Mum, I'm all right -- I don't read with my feet, I read with my head'. He smiles through it all."