THE family of a six-year-old Dorset boy with an incurable muscle-wasting condition are celebrating victory after their son was granted access to a breakthrough drug.

Luca Fernandes has Duchenne muscular dystrophy which could leave him unable to walk by the age of 12.

His parents Joanne and Pedro have been campaigning for two years for him to be given Translarna – a treatment that could slow down the symptoms of the condition.

Luca, from Poole, is now one of 50 patients in England to begin to trial the drug, which costs more than £200,000 a year.

Pedro said: “It is fantastic news. This is the beginning of a new chapter after a long arduous uphill battle.”

The families of 50 eligible children in England – 60 across the UK –waited almost 18 months for a decision from NHS England on funding for the drug, and there are fears some children may have lost the ability to walk during this time, meaning they will no longer meet eligibility criteria.

The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) announced earlier this year the drug would be made available on the NHS for a five year period.

Luca was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy in November 2013.

His family have campaigned tirelessly with the support of the charity Muscular Dystrophy UK.

Luca received the drug on Friday and began taking it Saturday morning.

Pedro added: “Until we had it in our hands, we didn’t believe it. We have to be reminded it’s not a cure but for now it is positive.

“As a parent, all you want is for your child to have freedom and independence. That’s the most important thing to be able to play football, play with friends and do the things most children can do.”

Robert Meadowcroft, chief executive of Muscular Dystrophy UK, said: “Parents of children eligible for Translarna have fought courageously for this outcome, and to give their children the chance to keep walking for longer.

"This announcement comes as wonderful news and a true victory for the families.

"Such an agreement will allow us to gain a clearer picture of the full potential of Translarna, and, crucially, to buy precious time for other promising potential treatments to reach licensing stage.

"It is a chance to transform childhoods."