AT 11 years old, a boy from Verwood has had four open- heart surgery operations.

Charlie Hassell, who suffers from congenital heart disease, had his first operation when he was only three weeks old.

His last one was in January 2009, when he had to have a new valve put in his heart.

He was told after the operation that he wouldn’t be able to take part in exercise in PE at school or play football in his spare time.

But Charlie is a determined young boy. He decided to join Rossgarth Youth Football Club and only one year on, as the team’s striker, he has scored 26 goals in his first season.

His team mates are so pleased with him that he has been voted Players’ Player of the season.

He has also received two other trophies for special achievement and the team’s own The Len Long Shield for the under-18s.

Charlie said he was surprised at getting the trophies but he was proud of himself.

He added: “All of my friends at the club patted me on the back and said ‘Well done’. When I got home, I put them straight on the mantelpiece. I couldn’t believe it.”

He hopes that one day he will be able to play for his favourite team, AFC Bournemouth.

His mum, Becky Hassell, 36, said: “We are very, very proud of him, after everything he has been through.”

She added: “All the team were there in their football kit and they gave out the prizes and he got three trophies.”

Congenital heart disease is the most common type of birth defect.

Six out of every 1,000 babies are born with the condition.

Half of all babies born with it will require immediate surgery after the birth, while the other half will probably require surgery or medication at some point during their childhood.