A TEENAGER with severe learning difficulties was thrilled by a special birthday surprise from his favourite band.

Donny Dalton, who has Angleman Syndrome - a rare genetic disorder that occurs in one in 15,000 people - suffers seizures, cannot speak and has walking and balance disorders that will require lifelong care.

But the Ferndown youngster, who attends Montacute School in Poole, simply loves the Gugge 2000 band.

Mum Alison explained: "The band over the years have come to know Donny and chat to him regularly.

"I asked the leader Glenn if they could play for his fourteenth birthday and they kindly offered to come to our house."

Band members turned up on Sunday (Sept 16) afternoon and performed some of Donny's favourite tunes, including an Abba medley, Happy and Pricetag.

Speaking before Gugge 2000 arrived at the family home in Golf Links Road, Alison told the Daily Echo: "Donny just loves the Gugge 2000 band, we go to all their local gigs and when he’s at home he watches their videos on youtube on his iPad.

"I can’t wait to see his face when they arrive. They are setting up next door and walking round playing their first song.

"My friends are making lovely cakes and drinks for afterwards.

"I'd like to show our appreciation to the Gugge Band for making his dream come true."

Gugge 2000, inspired by the Guggenmusik bands of Switzerland, Austria and southern Germany, was the first Guggenmusik to be formed in the UK.

Since forming more than a decade ago the band, which has more than 45 active members, has regularly performed across Europe.

Guggenmusik is a strong rhythmic music played with brass instruments, pipes and drums.