A brave four-year-old boy, who has had three operations for a heart condition, has been given an early Christmas present.

Hornby give Christmas present set to train fan Blake, Early toy Blake Sellors, 4, with his parents, Peter and Rowena, and Clacton shop owner, Ben Brahim, who presented Blake with a train set for Christmas. Picture: STEVE BAINBRIDGE (18483-1)

Train-mad Blake Sellors was in the Rock Shop and Toy House in Clacton when he spotted a Hornby set he liked.

He and his mother, Rowena, got chatting with owner Ben Brahim about his passion and what he wanted for Christmas.

And after a quick call to Hornby a free set was on its way to the shop in Pier Avenue and was presented to Blake on Monday.

"He is such a lovely little boy and has been through quite a lot in such a short life," said Mr Brahim.

"He has a heart condition and I just wanted to do something for him. I couldn't afford to give him the set myself but as soon as I contacted Hornby they were happy to oblige and put a smile on his face."

Mrs Sellors and her husband, Peter, went along to the shop with Blake, who has just started in the reception class at Kirby Primary School.

"We had just gone into the shop to see if they could get us this particular set that he wanted and find out how much it would cost," said Mr Sellors, of Halstead Road, Kirby.

"I could hardly believe it when he telephoned to say that he would like to give it to Blake on behalf of Hornby it was a wonderful surprise and a lovely gesture," she said.

Published Thursday November 29, 2001