Little Stanley Barnes, who suffers from a rare and terminal illness, has had surgery after being accepted onto a trial which, if successful, could extend his life.

Stanley, who will be two in December and lives with parents Ross and Mari and sister Willow in Mawnan Smith, has been diagnosed with Sanfilippo type A which blocks the breakdown of complex sugars in the body and destroys brain cells, leaving people unable to walk, talk or swallow He spent three days last week at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) undergoing tests and the family were delighted when they heard Stanley had been chosen for the trial.

Mr Barnes, who is a teacher at St Francis School in Falmouth, said: “He passed the tests and is on the trial and has been randomised to a group that gets the most amount of the enzyme, which is what we were really hoping for.

“As there is no cure for Sanfilippo we have looked for anything that might slow the process a little and just buy us more time with him.

“No one knows if this will work as it is the first time it has been trailed in the UK, but it is what is out there right now so we are thankful for that.

“The procedure is an operation to place a port in his spine for the enzyme to be given through. He will then be back and forward to GOSH every two weeks for the Enzyme Replacement Therapy (ERT).”

Back in Falmouth, the local community are rallying around the family with staff and pupils at St Francis spearheading a fundraising campaign to get enough money to create a sensory play room for Stanley at his home.

The school has already raised almost £1,500 and on Friday evening a dinner and dance at the Greenbank Hotel, which had been organised by Falmouth Rugby Club, brought in over £2,600 with Santander adding another £1,400 to the pot.

Mr Barnes said: “Fantastic news and a huge thank you to all those that attended, gave raffle prizes and organised the whole thing…..amazing.”

 Stanley’s parents posted this photo, right, on the Stanley’s Friends Facebook page yesterday afternoon, shortly after the youngster came out of surgery, with the message: “Stanley is out of neuro surgery and all seems to have gone well. Thanks everyone for your warm words of support.”