A WOLLESCOTE mum has spoken of her relief after she and her daughter were given the all-clear on a rare metabolic disease which claimed the life of her baby son.

Ann Wells lost her seven month old son Alex last September to Leigh’s Disease - a debilitating, life-limiting condition which affects the brain and nervous system, causing severe muscle weakness in the body.

The 38-year-old hairdresser turned full-time mum not only had to endure the pain of losing her only son after just a few short months of life - she also had to deal with the prospect that she, her husband and her two-year-old daughter Catherine may also have the disease.

However - after a series of tests the family has been declared free of the incurable inherited genetic condition.

Ann said: “It’s very good news. Up until recently it was just a ticking time bomb.

“After tests, they discovered it was in the maternal line and against all the odds I found out I hadn’t got it and my daughter hadn’t got it.

“The doctors said it must have mutated with Alex and died with him. We’re extremely lucky.

“But when Catherine has her own children it could be the same again - she could have to go through the pain that I have.”

She said there were lots of tears after she and husband Andrew realised what was wrong with their little boy.

Now nine months after his death she is keen to raise awareness of the condition among members of the public and particularly the medical profession - as she says she struggled to get medics to take her seriously when she first began to worry there might be something wrong with Alex.

She has also been promoting efforts by fellow mums at Hob Green Children’s Centre to raise money for the charity Climb which supports sufferers and families affected by inherited metabolic diseases.

A fashion show in memory of Alex was held at the centre on June 10 - raising £2,000 for the charity, which Ann says has helped her through the tough times thanks to its network of mums experiencing similar heartbreak.

To find out more about Leigh’s Disease check out www.climb.org.uk