FOUR-year-old Jamie Graham is looking forward to the best Christmas gift in the world -- being able to open his presents for the first time.

Last year his mum Anita had to hold Jamie, who suffers from cerebral palsy, on her knee and open all the presents for him.

This year he will be sitting on his own and joining in with his two-year-old brother Luke as they enjoy finding out what Santa has sent them.

The family spent 18 weeks in Cardiff when Jamie attended a centre run by specialists trained in conductive education by the world-renowned Peto Institute in Hungary.

Anita, 32, of Waddington Avenue, Burnley, had to raise £10,000 to cover the treatment and costs for the family to live in Wales.

She said: "We got the money in just three months -- it was amazing. Four days before I was due to set off for Cardiff in July I was £3,000 short, but we had decided to go anyway.

"Then Burnley Football Club held a sponsor night which raised £800 and the club made the money up to the £3,000 which was needed.

"I can't thank people enough for what they have done for us. Jamie wouldn't be doing the things that he is doing now if it wasn't for the help and support everyone gave us." Jamie, who attends Stepping Stones Nursery in Haslingden, can now sit unaided for about 30 minutes, can pull himself to stand on a special frame from the centre and bear his own weight and his speech has improved.

Anita said: "He gets frustrated because he cannot do some of the things that he wants to do.

"He knows what he wants to do but his brain will not let him move as he wants to do or do the things he wants to do.

"Just being able to sit on his own has given him so much independence. I want to take him back to the centre next year so we will have to raise more money. My aim is to get him walking and I won't give up until I have done it."

Jamie was born at 28 weeks weighing 3lb 2oz and spent the first eight weeks of life in the intensive care unit.

His cerebral palsy was caused by his premature birth which starved his brain of oxygen. It was only when he was 10 months old that Anita realised something was wrong and doctors diagnosed the condition.

She admitted when she was carrying Luke she was worried until the moment he was born, but there were no problems.

She said: "Both of my sons are equals. If I am playing football with Luke I will lift Jamie up so he can join in.

"I want them both to have as normal and the best quality of life as they can and I wouldn't be without them. It's such a bonus having them both."