A TEENAGER is counting down the hours until he sets off on a trip of a lifetime.

Sean Traynor, 14, who suffers from spina bifida, has been given the chance to spend ten days in Florida thanks to the Dreamflight charity.

He will begin his trip on Saturday, October 11, and, while there, will be given VIP treatment with passes to many of the theme parks.

His mother, Karen, said: "After all Sean has been through, he is really looking forward to it and he certainly deserves the break.

"It is a trip of a lifetime for him and I know he is going to have a fantastic time."

Sean, from Marske, underwent a routine operation last September to have a five-inch cyst removed from the top of his spine.

However, the cyst had damaged his nervous system and resulted in his left leg being paralysed.

He had to spend eight months in hospital and, although he seemed to be getting better, he now has trouble speaking and eating.

Mrs Traynor said: "He is a very bright boy and he was getting slightly better before, but at the moment he cannot speak and has to be fed through a tube in his stomach.

"However, his smile is returning and this really is the icing on the cake for him."