YOUNG Thomas Hug-hes is finally taking his first steps - at the age of seven.

The Blaina boy has a mystery condition that means he has severe learning difficulties, has epileptic fits and cannot talk.

Until last month he was unable to walk.

Mum Alison Hughes said that she did not realise anything was wrong until Thomas was about 10 months old.

"He was such a happy, cheerful baby. He did have problems with his posture and stuff but I just assumed he was a bit slow.

"We began sending him for brain scans and genetics and chromosome testing but no-one could find anything wrong."

The University of Wales genetic team found Thomas has no chromosome defects, no genetic problems and no cerebral palsy.

Mrs Hughes said: "They can tell us what he hasn't got but not what he has got and without a diagnosis many charities will not help."

But now there is a glimmer of hope for his parents Alison, 36, and Wayne, 39, thanks to their local community's support.

In January, the couple took Thomas to a private clinic in Oxford for three weeks, where he had intensive physiotherapy.

When they got back, Thomas took his first steps unaided. Mrs Hughes said: "It was unbelievable - a real miracle."

But the treatment is expensive - £1,200 for a three-week course, so the local community started fundraising for Thomas' therapy.

She said: "Blaina is a small place but everyone has rallied round. The spirit here is amazing."

They have already raised enough for another three courses for Thomas - some £4,000.

Donations include £1,400 from a local line-dancing group, £1,200 from Blaina Bowls Club, £650 from Blaina fire station's charity car wash and £414 from Asda in Brynmawr.

On Friday a charity concert was held to raise money for Thomas, organised by Blaina Communities First and Gwent Police with Abertillery Male Voice Choir and Ystruth Primary School Choir.

The donations mean Thomas' next session at Footsteps clinic, Oxford, can go ahead on March 20.