A £50,000 appeal has been launched to help a young boy who suffers from a degenerative terminal illness live a better life.

Alexis Ruthven, seven, suffers from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, which causes his muscles to deteriorate over time.

He already struggles to run, jump and climb stairs like other children and is expected to lose the use of his arms by his teens, with life expectancy for the condition being in the mid to late-20s.

Now his family and a group of four trustees have launched the Alexis Ruthven Trust to help raise cash for vital home improvements, such as a downstairs bedroom and bathroom adaptations, as well as crucial equipment such as equipment such as a powerchair and electrically-adjustable bed.

'He needs a lot more care,' said Mrs Ruthven. 'He is not able to go out and about as easily.

'The most frustrating thing for him is that he wants to be able to do things, but he isn't able to.'