BRAVE little boy William Atkinson has had his Christmas wish granted after receiving more than a thousand Christmas cards.

Little William, who has been battling Leukaemia for a year and a half, has even received a card from Prime Minister David Cameron and his wife Samantha.

William's gran Kathy Atkinson launched an appeal in the Echo less than a week ago for people to send her Christmas card loving grandson their good wishes.

And while the family hoped William would receive a few extra Christmas cards this year they have been completely blown away by the response.

According to his mum Eliana more than 1,000 cards have been delivered to their house in Alderbury Close, Swanage.

"The response has just been absolutely amazing. We really can't believe how kind and generous people have been," added Eliana.

"Since the story appeared in the paper last Wednesday there hasn't been one day when we have received at least 100 cards.

"On Friday the post man delivered 489 cards in one go. We have just been completely floored by the response."

Cards have come from the local community in Swanage and as far away as Canada and America.

But little William's story has also struck a chord with politicians including the Mayor of Bournemouth and incredibly the Prime Minister and his wife.

William was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia in May last year aged two years 10 months. He has undergone daily chemotherapy and will continue to do so until November 2017.

The gruelling treatment has many side effects, including on his development, sleep, speech and particularly on his walking for which he will need corrective surgery in the future.

His condition has meant a great deal of time in hospital, taking him and his mother away from the rest of the family.

Eliana would also like to thank many of the well wishers for mentioning William's seven-year-old brother Gary, who has "been very brave" throughout.

However it's not just cards that have been arriving but presents, including toys and theme park tickets as well as money to help the family with hospital and travel costs.

"I feel like thank you doesn't really cover it. The response has been unbelievably amazing and William is so so happy," added Eliana.

"You have managed to give him the most magical Christmas."

And despite Eliana's fears that the post man may no longer like delivering to their house the Swanage Post Office have invited William and Gary for a tour of the building to see how all of William's mail gets sorted.