DETERMINED Lowestoft lad Alfie Ward has overcome the odds to realise his dreams.

Eleven-year-old Alfie has a rare disease involving a congenital defect of the spine and was told this meant he would never be able to ride a bike like his friends.

But the Roman Hill Middle School pupil refused to give up, and, with help from his parents, teaching staff and a Lowestoft business, his dream has come true, according to the school's administrative co-ordinator, Julie Durrant.

Alfie was all smiles as he was presented with a new bicycle at the school.

The occasion was down in no small part to head Paul Herod, who joined forces with Paul Bedford, owner of Lowestoft-based Life-Cycles, and took personal charge of Alfie's quest to ride the bike of his dreams.

After an exciting visit to the Life-Cycles shop in Newcombe Road, Alfie was measured up for his machine and kitted out with elbow and knee pads, a high-visibility jacket, a helmet and a lock to keep everything safe and secure.

'An extremely happy Alfie received his new bike and kit at school,' Julie said.

Mr Herod put it all down to great teamwork. He added: 'Alfie is a lovely lad who is beginning to enjoy his new bicycle with a 'can-do' smile on his face. 'It won't be long before he is riding freely.

'I would like to thank the school nurse, Amanda Wheeler, for her support, along with Alfie's mum and dad.'

Alfie's condition is known Klippel- Feil syndrome and is characterised by the congenital fusion of any two of the seven cervical vertebrae.

According to the latest figures, incidence of Klippel-Feil syndrome ranges from about one in 42,400 births to about three in 700 births.

Boys are more likely than girls to have the condition.