LIAM Vaile is only two years old but he called on fighting qualities that would humble most adults.

Seven months ago, the Cwmbran toddler clung to life during 12 days in intensive care, after losing an arm to, and having his body poisoned by, an horrific flesh-eating bug.

The prognosis was grim but though he defied the odds he was also left unable to walk, his parents and doctors unsure whether he would ever do so again.

Now, however, he is back on his feet and thrilling everyone with the pace of his recovery.

Liam, from Maendy Way, West Pontnewydd, contracted potentially fatal necrotising fasciitis after a seemingly minor fall in the garden.

Less than two days later surgeons had to amputate most of his left arm and could not be sure how damaged he would be by the effects of the bug, which kills one in five of its victims.

"When we came out of hospital it was like bringing home a newborn baby," said mum Nicola, who lives with husband Steve, Liam and his six-year-old brother Ryan.

"He couldn't walk, his muscles had gone stiff, and he had difficulty eating. We didn't know what sort of a recovery he would make."

Injections of Botox, a product more usually associated with facelifts, helped relax the muscles, and gradually some strength returned to Liam's legs. Around Christmas he began to stand.

"He was very unsteady, but he started holding his own balance and walking a few steps," said Mrs Vaile.

"He can't climb steps and deal with uneven surfaces, and he's got to learn to cope with that. But we were frightened he would never walk again, so to see him now, we can still barely believe it."

A small army of medical staff, including physiotherapists, an occupational therapist, social worker, artificial limb experts, hydrotherapists, kidney specialists and neurologists are helping Liam along the path to recovery.

"He has a prosthetic arm but we've decided that because he has so much else to cope with at the moment, he's not wearing it. He also needs an operation later in the summer," said Mrs Vaile. "He has hydrotherapy and physio every week and most weeks we have appointments somewhere.

"But he's also started playgroup two mornings a week which is wonderful.

"It's been a very difficult seven months. When we brought him home I was determined to make it as normal as possible for him but he's been so poorly.

"He's got to have an immune system check and because his kidneys failed in hospital, he will need yearly checks for the rest of his life. But we went to Roath Park the other day and I was pushing him on the swings and suddenly the tears just came into my eyes.

"I was totally overwhelmed. I think I just couldn't believe I was doing that with him, because I thought I'd never have the chance again."