A GLASGOW boy has been told he will be walking unaided in six months after a life-changing operation.

Nine-year-old Joshua Granger hit home soil last week after undergoing surgery and follow up treatment in the US.

He flew out to St Louis, Missouri, with his family in mid-November, after a mammoth fundraising effort. His mum Ashley, 27, led the campaign, highlighted by the Evening Times, to raise £50,000 to fund the groundbreaking treatment.

Following two operations, Joshua is now up and about, strengthening and stretching his muscles.

Ashley said the results were "overwhelming."

She said: "Since we have been home he has been keen to show off.

"He wants to walk and show everybody he is taking big steps, and he doesn't want to use his walker anymore.

"His legs used to be really heavy to lift, but now they are so light.

"After the operation he was able to bear weight and had flat feet on the floor.

"That's something he has never been able to do, stand and walk flat-footed.

"He used to walk with tip toes and now he takes full steps and his legs are straight when they hit the floor."

Before the life-changing surgery Joshua, who has cerebral palsy, had to wear splints to help him walk.

But, just days after two operations to release the tension in his legs, he was up and about.

Doctors initially thought it would be a year before Joshua would be able to walk without support, but recent assessments have revealed it could be within six months.

The surgery could mean Joshua will finally be able to achieve his dream of playing football.

Ashley said: "We feel really good and really pleased that Joshua feels very enthusiastic to get walking.

"The operation was a real success. It was really emotional because we were seeing Joshua doing things that he had never been able to do before.

"We were videoing what he had done and showing him it back and he was really pleased with himself."

Ashley and her partner, Craig Greenwood, and their daughter Rebbekah joined Joshua on the trip to St Louis Children's Hospital.

On their return they held a party to celebrate the success of the operation.

Pupils from Joshua's school, St Marnock's Primary, came along, as well as representatives from local football club Pollok United, friends and family.

Now the family are having a quiet holiday isiting relatives before Joshua returns to school in January.