LIKE many little boys, six-year-old Sam Johnson dreams of racing after criminals in a shiny police car.

But after contracting an extremely rare eye disease, he has already undergone more operations than most adults.

Durham police made his dream come true when they invited him as their special guest.

A routine test at St Margaret's Infant School in Durham City last July, gave the first indication that Sam, of Ferens Park, Durham, had a problem with his sight. It revealed inflammation in his left eye and he was referred to Sunderland Eye Infirmary for further tests.

Doctors cited toxicara, a disease linked with dog and cat faeces, as the probable cause. Despite the efforts of consultants at London's Moorfield Hospital, Sam lost his sight in the infected eye.

Since then, the condition has spread to his right eye, and he has undergone around ten operations to try to save it.

After the youngster's bravery came to the attention of Chief Inspector Tim Wilson, executive manager of the Durham Agency Against Crime, he decided to give him a treat.

Last week Sam visited Durham police's headquarters, in Aykley Heads, Durham, with his mother Annette, where he rode in a police car, sat on a police motorcycle and met a police dog.

He also received gifts including toy police vehicles.